Grand Island East Channel Light
Encyclopedia
The Grand Island East Channel Light is a lighthouse
located just north of Munising, Michigan
(latitude 46° 27.010' longitude -86° 37.345') and was intended to lead boats from Lake Superior
through the channel east of Grand Island
into the Munising Harbor. Constructed of wood, the light first opened for service in 1868. The light was very hard to see from Lake Superior, and light maintenance was very difficult so the Munising Range Lights were constructed (Munising Rear Range Light
, Munising Front Range Light
) and this light was removed from service in 1908 or 1913 (sources vary).
The lighthouse was severely neglected, and was in danger of being washed away due to erosion. The "Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse Rescue Committee" was officially formed. Private fund raising was undertaken. Restoration efforts (albeit in "rustic form" not pristine as it was in service) were undertaken. The theory for the lack of paint is that it is more picturesque and attractive to tourists and passing photographers.
As two commentators, lamenting the possible loss of this unique light station, noted in Lighthouse Digest
:
In 2000, 85 volunteers worked steadily for thirty days, and completed 75% of a 300 feet (91.4 m) seawall
to protect the light.
At this time, the light has been restored and the wall completed.
It is part of a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Reference #80004835. Name of Listing: HISTORIC ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL SITES IN MICHIGAN TR. It is not listed on the state registry.
tour), both of which pass by this light and pause for photographers. Alternatively, sea kayak
tours of Grand Island are a good way to see this light. Daily trips are available from Memorial Day
weekend through October 10. Sea Kayak
ing is a popular method of exploring the island. and is the best way to see it, although it is a serious trip in dangerous and cold water, which should not be undertaken lightly or without proper equipment (dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature). Guides are available. The most efficient port of entry for a sea kayak, is from the harbor at Munising
.
Out of Munising, Shipwreck Tours and Pictured Rocks Cruises offer boat tours that pass closely by this light. Tye ferry to tour Grand Island is available, but does not pass by either Grand Island lighthouses. They are located on private property and are not accessible.
The lighthouse is owned privately, and the grounds, dwelling and tower are closed.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
located just north of Munising, Michigan
Munising, Michigan
Munising is a city on the southern shore of Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,539. It is the county seat of Alger County...
(latitude 46° 27.010' longitude -86° 37.345') and was intended to lead boats from Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
through the channel east of Grand Island
Grand Island Township, Michigan
Grand Island Township is a civil township of Alger County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township consists entirely of the Grand Island in Lake Superior just north of Munising. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 45...
into the Munising Harbor. Constructed of wood, the light first opened for service in 1868. The light was very hard to see from Lake Superior, and light maintenance was very difficult so the Munising Range Lights were constructed (Munising Rear Range Light
Munising Rear Range Light
The Munising Rear Range Light works with the Munising Front Range Light to project a line of light out into Lake Superior in order to guide boats from the open lake into the safe harbor at Munising, Michigan. This harbor is a natural bay and sheltered on the north by Grand Island...
, Munising Front Range Light
Munising Front Range Light
The Munising Front Range Light and its matching Munising Rear Range Light replaced the ineffective Grand Island East Channel Light in 1905. These two lights combine to guide boats from the open waters of Lake Superior down the East Channel next to Grand Island into the harbor of Munising...
) and this light was removed from service in 1908 or 1913 (sources vary).
The lighthouse was severely neglected, and was in danger of being washed away due to erosion. The "Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse Rescue Committee" was officially formed. Private fund raising was undertaken. Restoration efforts (albeit in "rustic form" not pristine as it was in service) were undertaken. The theory for the lack of paint is that it is more picturesque and attractive to tourists and passing photographers.
As two commentators, lamenting the possible loss of this unique light station, noted in Lighthouse Digest
Lighthouse Digest
Lighthouse Digest is a specialty magazine for lighthouse and maritime history enthusiasts published in East Machias, Maine. Launched in May, 1992, by FogHorn Publishing, it is dedicated to preserving lighthouse history, current and yesteryear, for future generations.-Scope:Coverage includes...
:
It is seen and photographed by thousands of tourists via the Picture Rocks Cruises and Grand Island Charters Glass Bottom Boat tours which make it their first stop on their numerous tours. It appears on sweatshirts, tee-shirts, coffee mugs, post cards, advertisements, and calendars. It is positively one of Michigan's most recognizable landmarks. . . .
In 2000, 85 volunteers worked steadily for thirty days, and completed 75% of a 300 feet (91.4 m) seawall
Seawall
A seawall is a form of coastal defence constructed where the sea, and associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast. The purpose of a seawall is to protect areas of human habitation, conservation and leisure activities from the action of tides and waves...
to protect the light.
At this time, the light has been restored and the wall completed.
It is part of a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Reference #80004835. Name of Listing: HISTORIC ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL SITES IN MICHIGAN TR. It is not listed on the state registry.
Getting there
The most common way to see the light is to take either of the cruises out of Munising (Shipwreck Tour or Pictured RocksPictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Lakeshore on the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. It extends for 42 miles along the shore and covers...
tour), both of which pass by this light and pause for photographers. Alternatively, sea kayak
Sea kayak
A sea kayak or touring kayak is a kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. Sea kayaks are seaworthy small boats with a covered deck and the ability to incorporate a spraydeck...
tours of Grand Island are a good way to see this light. Daily trips are available from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend through October 10. Sea Kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing is a popular method of exploring the island. and is the best way to see it, although it is a serious trip in dangerous and cold water, which should not be undertaken lightly or without proper equipment (dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature). Guides are available. The most efficient port of entry for a sea kayak, is from the harbor at Munising
Munising, Michigan
Munising is a city on the southern shore of Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,539. It is the county seat of Alger County...
.
Out of Munising, Shipwreck Tours and Pictured Rocks Cruises offer boat tours that pass closely by this light. Tye ferry to tour Grand Island is available, but does not pass by either Grand Island lighthouses. They are located on private property and are not accessible.
The lighthouse is owned privately, and the grounds, dwelling and tower are closed.
Additional reading
- Most Endangered Lighthouse: Grand Island, East Channel Lighthouse, (November, 1999) Lighthouse DigestLighthouse DigestLighthouse Digest is a specialty magazine for lighthouse and maritime history enthusiasts published in East Machias, Maine. Launched in May, 1992, by FogHorn Publishing, it is dedicated to preserving lighthouse history, current and yesteryear, for future generations.-Scope:Coverage includes...
. - Harrison, Timothy and Case, Chris, Last Chance for Grand Island East Channel Light (January, 2000) Lighthouse Digest.
- New Products Help Grand Island East Channel Light Will you help save this lighthouse? (June, 2000). Lighthouse Digest.
- Grand Island East Channel Light—Closer to Rescue April, 2001. Lighthouse Digest.
- LaFave, Michael (Mackinac Center), "Privatization Shines" - article on the general subject of privatization of lighthouses.
- Wobser, David, Great Laker Magazine, Grand Island East Channel Range Light, boatnerd.com.
External links
- Aerial photo at Marinas.com.
- Interactive map on Michigan lighthouses. Detroit News.
- Interactive map of lighthouses in eastern Lake Superior.
- Satellite view at Google mapsGoogle MapsGoogle Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
.
See also
- Lighthouses in the United StatesLighthouses in the United StatesThis is a list of lighthouses in the United States. The United States has had approximately a thousand lights as well as light towers, range lights, and pier head lights...