Grand Traverse Light

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grand Traverse Light is a lighthouse in the U.S. state of Michigan, located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, which is colloquially known as "the pinky [finger]" separating Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The lighthouse is located 8 miles north of Northport, a town of about 650 people. This area is known for its exquisite beauty and is a popular spot for tourists during the summer months.

[edit] History

Locally called Northport Light, it was ordered built by President Millard Fillmore in July of 1850. A brick tower with separate keeper's quarters was constructed at a site east of the present Lighthouse in the state park campground. The house and tower were deemed inadequate and razed in 1858 when the present structure was built. Still visible is a portion of the lighthouse foundation and the original tower site was located in 1999.^[1]

Today, one can tour the restored lighthouse resembling a keeper's home of the 1920s and 1930s. Exhibits on area lighthouses, foghorns, shipwrecks and local history are located in the Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building. The restored air diaphone foghorn is demonstrated throughout the year, and visitors can climb the tower for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.^[2]