{Grosse Ile North Channel Lighthouse}

Grosse Ile North Channel

Front Range Light

Grosse Ile, Michigan

Established: (1894) 1906

Status: Inactive

Location: Lower Detroit River

Type:Octagonal wooden tower

Access: Boat

The structure is in good condition considering it was built in 1906. It stands 40 feet tall and was deactivated in 1963. The octagonal white tower is beautiful, each face is sided with horizontal wood strips like clapboards on an old house. Near the middle the structure angles inward and narrows. The eight sided lantern room is empty now. The light is currently is the property of the Grosse Isle Historical Society. The other tower in this range is reported as being "lost" prior to 1940. The Grosse Ile Historical Society will give tours of this light. Since it is on private land, visitors must be escorted to the light by members of the society. Grosse Ile Lighthouse is opened to the public just one day each year-typically the second Sunday in September. If you would like a tour, write to:

Grosse Ile Historical Society

East River Road Parkway

P.O. Box 131

Grosse Ile, MI 48138

{Detroit River Lighthouse}

Detroit River Light
Detroit River, Lake Erie Michigan
Built: 1885 Status: Active
Location: South Rockwood, Michigan
Type:Conical, cast iron
Access: Boat


Detroit River Lighthouse marks the Southern end of the Detroit River where Lake Erie enters the river. Great Lakes traffic moves North along the river, through Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and then into Lake Huron.


The 49-foot conical tower is constructed of cast iron, painted white on the lower half and black on the upper. It sits atop a cement crib. It was automated in 1979, and is maintained by the Coast Guard. It is not open to the public.