Charity Island Light

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Charity Island Light is in Lake Huron just off the coast of Au Gres, Michigan. In 1838, this region was the source of a large amount of lumber being removed from Lower Michigan via the rivers that all exit at the bottom of the Saginaw Bay. The shoals around Charity Island were a major source of problems and a considerable quantity of it didn't make it to New York (where it was intended to go). However, it wasn't until 1856 that funds were allocated to establish a light on the island.

The light was constructed with a 39' tower which provided a 13 mile range of visibility. The lighthouse board was in the process of constructing a set of lights up and down the coast, so this was considered adequate to both keep boats off the island and also to navigate from one place to another. [1]

The light has been abandoned since 1939 (when Gravelly Shoal was lit) and is rapidly falling apart. A group is restoring the tower.[2]. The original keepers house has been razed and a new private residence built to replace it.

Phyllis Tag has documented the full list of keepers of the light.

This light is hard to get close enough to see. Lake Huron is quite shallow and rocky and the lights far enough from shore that you really can't see it. Getting a boat near it requires either oars, or considerable care. You can look at lighthousesRus to place the location in your mind and to find other lights that you wish to visit in the area.