Beaver Head Lighthouse

Photo by Phyllis Fitzpatrick
Beaver Head Lighthouse
Established:(1852) 1858
Status: Inactive
Decommissioned: 1962
Location: South end of Beaver Island
Type: Conical, brick with attached dwelling
Access: Car

This light is located at Beaver Head, at the southern end of Beaver Island and marks the west side of the approach used by most vessels passing from Lake Michigan into the Straits of Mackinac. The first tower on this site was built in 1852 but was rebuilt into this present tower in 1858. The keeper's house was added in 1866.

The keeper's brick house is painted light yellow. It rests on an old foundation of field stones. The house itself could easily accommodate two families, a second story house was added onto the back of the structure. The structure sits on a bluff high above Lake Michigan. During the summer months from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. you can climb the tower and view the beautiful waters below.Restoration of this light is one of the ongoing projects included in a state-run project called the Youth Employment Training Project. Directors and participants come from the Charlevoix Community School District and students can receive credit for time spent working on the project.

Directions:

You can reach the island by either car ferry or regularly scheduled airplane flights, both out of Charlevoix, Michigan.
The 18-minute flight costs about $50 per person; the ferry ride takes about 31/2 hours and costs approximately $100 for a family of four and their vehicle.

Ferries depart at least once a day from Beaver Island Boat dock, on the east side of US-31, just south of the drawbridge in downtown Charlevoix. If you are taking a vehicle to the island, reservations are a must, are are recommended either way. For a current ferry schedule and rates call (616) 547-2311.

The Island Airways flight lift off from Charlevoix Municipal Airport, on US-31 just south of the M-66 junction. For flight information call (616)547-2141.