My visit to Lake Michigan Lighthouses
I love to photograph lighthouses so in 2008 we took a trip to Lake Michigan. I was amazed to find out that there are more lighthouses along the coast of Michigan than any other state in the US. We were able to visit six lighthouses during our visit and each one was totally different from the one before.
In this lens I will give you an overview of the lighthouses we visited and a look at some of the photos. If you would like to read more about any particular lighthouse a link will be provided to the lenses on the specific lighthouses.
Michigan City Indiana
East Pier/Breakwater Old Michigan City Light
The first lighthouse that we visited was in Michigan City, Indiana. This lighthouse was built in 1835 and sits at the end of a long pier. You can walk out on the pier up to the lighthouse and I enjoyed my walk out along the pier. All the way I took photographs and was able to capture the lighthouse from several vantage points. The lighthouse looks great from a distance but close up has quite a bit of graffeti on it.The Michigan City Lighthouse was built in 1835. It now serves as a maritime museum open to the public.
St. Jospeph Michigan
North Pier Lighthouse
The second lighthouse was in St. Joseph, Michigan. It was similar to the one in Michigan City. It was first built in 1832 on the North Pier. It was one of the first two lighthouses built to aid navigations on Lake MichiganThe current lighthouse replicates the original and dominates the city's North Pier. It is still in operation today to aid vessels as they navigate Lake Michigan.
Photographic Treasures by Mary Beth
Great Products with Lighthouse Designs
Big Red, Holland MI Tote Bag
What lighthouse lover wouldn't love this great tote bag featuring "Big Red"? Each side has a great photo.
Price: 17.99 
Lake Michigan Lighthouses Wall Calendar
This great lighthouse calendar shows a different lighthouse scene for each of the twelve months. It makes a great gift for the lighthouse enthusiast.
Price: 16.99
Grand Haven Lighthouse Journal
This handy journal features a photo of the lighthouses at Grand Haven, Michigan. It makes a great gift for the writer on your gift list
Price: 12.49
South Haven, Michigan
South Pierhead Lighthouse
We next visited the lighthouse at South Haven. This lighthouse was constructed in 1872 and has been welcoming mariners to South Haven for 135 years. It was a very windy day when we visited and I was able to capture some great photos of the waves splashing half way up the lighthouse.The current tower was reconstructed of steel in 1903. It stands 35 feet tall and it was electrified in 1923.
More South Haven Photographs
South Haven Lighthouse
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South Haven Lighthouse-a Light for all Seasons
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The lighthouse in South Haven, Michigan has been welcoming water traffic for over 135 years. It is a wonderful bright red steel tower that stands at the end of the pier with a catwalk leading up to it. It was a windy day when we were there and it w...
Great Lakes Lighthouses gifts
Holland Michigan Lighthouse
Big Red
My favorite lighthouse was the one in Holland, Michigan. It is nicknamed Big Red and is a three story bright red building that is very unique in appearance. Although we could not get right up to Big Red, I was able to photograph it from across the harbor. I got some great shots from the sand dunes and was able to capture the lighthouse framed by colorful fall leaves.The three-story Holland Harbor light is on Black Lake and was built in 1907. It is covered with red steel to protect it from the heavy pounding it gets during rough weather. The current light tower was added to the top of one gable in 1936. Big Red sits on a pier that runs along the south bank of the channel connecting Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan.
Holland, Michigan Lighthouse
If you'd like to see more photographs of Big Red in Holland Check out my Holland, Michigan lens.-
"Big Red" Holland Lighthouse
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Big Red lighthouse is a very unique lighthouse. It is set apart from other lighthouses by it's bright "fire engine" red color and it's distinctive Dutch archictecture. I was delighted to see this unusual lighthouse on my visit to Holland, Michigan....
Lighthouse Photos and Gifts
Zazzle products
Lighthouse Gifts and Photos
Grand Haven, Michigan
South Pierhead Entrance
I really enjoyed seeing the lights at Grand Haven. They consisted of two lights that sat on the pier, an Inner Light and Entrance Light Station. They are connected along the pier and to the shore by a long catwalk on which the public can walk out. At night they are lit up with lights all along the catwalk.The original lighthouse was built in 1839 at the mouth of the Grand River. In 1905 the current 52-foot inner tower light was consturcted. These may be the most recognizable of all Michigan lights.
Lens on Grand Haven Lighthouses
Additional Photos from Grand Haven
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Grand Haven Lighthouses-Great Up Close Views
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I love to be able to see a lighthouse up close. The lights at Grand Haven provide this opportunity! I was delighted to find two lights connected to the beach by a long stone pier and a raised catwalk to connect the two lights. My friends and I took...
View from Inside Grand Haven Lighthouse at Dawn
Beautiful Framed Art of Grand Haven Lighthouse
Sterling Silver Lighthouse Charm
lighthouse jewelry
I just added a lighthouse charm to my bracelet and I love that it reminds me of my lighthouse visits.
Sterling Silver Lighthouse Charm by Bob Siemon
Amazon Price: $24.00 (as of 12/23/2009)
Weather in Grand Haven, MI
Muskegon Michigan
South Pier Light Station
The last lighthouse we visited was in Muskegon. It was the tallest of the lighthouses and looked very striking with it's dark red color. I was able to get a photograph of it with it's refection in the water.This lighthouse was consturcted on Lake Michigan's shore in 1851. It was replaced in 1903 when the harbor pier was completed. The 53-foot red conical steel tower is equipped with a fourth order Fresnel lens. The lens has been replaced by a modern 300 millimeter acrylic optic. a 70-foot South Breakwater Square Tower was built in 1930.
Information for this article was gathered from a brochure from the West Michigan tourist association.
www.wmta.org
You can see photographs of all of the lighthouses that I visited on my webstore at www.cafepress.com/mbgphoto
Muskegon Lens
More information on Muskegon Lighthouse
This lens will show more of the photographs I took at the Muskegon lights.-
Muskegon Lighthouse
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There is a narrow strip of water that connects Lake Muskegon to Lake Michigan. This area is protected by two concrete walls stretching into the water. In 1851 the first lighthouse was constructed to help guide ships through this narrow passageway. T...
Lighthouse Clock
This clock would be wonderful in a kitchen or perhaps in the family room.
Lighthouse on the Rocks Nautical Kitchen Wall Clock
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
Wooden clock with lighthouse scene.
Interesting Lighthouse Decor
decorate with lighthouses
Are you looking to add some lighthouses to your kitchen? Perhaps you want to spruce up your garden or deck with some lighthouse decor.These lenses will give you some ideas on decorating with lighthouses.
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Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
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Thomas Kinkade is often called the Painter of Light. I love his beautiful paintings of gardens and cottages, but my love of lighthouses really draws me to his lighthouse paintings. I have a copy of Kinkade's Light of Peace hanging in my entrywa...
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Lighthouses for your Garden
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Do you love lighthouses? Are you looking for a great theme for your garden or patio? This lens will give you a wide variety of ideas on decorating the outdoors with lighthouses. From Welcome Signs to Bird Houses you will find lots of great ideas to...
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Lighthouse Christmas Decorations
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Lighthouses make great Christmas decorations. I think it is wonderful when Christmas decorations reflect a persons personality. If you enjoy lighthouses, adding them to your Christmas decor will give your home that personalized look. In looking for...
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Lighthouse Kitchen Decor
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Is it time to give you kitchen a make over? Do you love lighthouses? Consider a lighthouse themed decor for your kitchen. In researching for this lens, I was amazed at all of the wonderful lighthouse accessories available for your kitchen. I have...
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Lighthouse Gallery
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Painting is "Parker Cove" by Richard Burns, Used with Permission. Original is for sale. Read more about Richard further down. Since modern technology is rendering them obsolete for the most part, lighthouses are now around mostly for show, although...
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LIGHTHOUSE BIRDHOUSE
Beckon birds to shelter with this lovely little li more...1 point
RUSTIC WOOD LIGHT HOUSE LIGHTHOUSE WELCOME SIGN PLAQUE
Quaint lighthouse "Welcome" sign exudes more...0 points
Wood Lighthouse Night Light - Style 37547
Windows aglow with golden light, this lighthouse k more...0 points
Lighthouse Birdhouse
NAUTICAL NEST WOOD LIGHTHOUSE BIRDHOUSE BIRD HOUSE
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 12/23/2009)
More Michigan Lighthouse Information
- West Michigan Tourist Association
- This site gives you information on visiting the lighthouses and other sites in west Michigan. Information for this blog was optained from a brochure entitled Lake Michigan Circle Tour & Lighthouse Map
- Phototgraphic Treasures by Mary Beth
- This link is to the section in my webstore on lighthouses. Here you will find photographs of all of the lighthouses in this article designed for specific products. Choose from home products such as: clocks, pillows, coasters and keepsake boxes. There are also great calendars, notecards, and greeting cards featuring lighthouses. You can choose from a wide selection of shirts, tshirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel with lighthouse designs. I hope you enjoy shopping at my webstore.
- Michigan Lighthouses
- This link has great information on the lighthouses on the coasts of Michigan.
- St. Joseph Today - Saint Joseph, Michigan
- North
Pier Lighthouse Throughout
the constant weather changes in St. Joseph, one thing remains the
same: no matter what the season is, the lighthouse always looks
magnificent. - Michigan City East Pierhead Lighthouse, Indiana at Lighthousefriends.com
- Michigan City East Pierhead Lighthouse, Indiana Lighthouses, Photographs, pictures, history, location, travel information, maps, description, hotel, Lighthousefriends.com
- "Big Red" Lighthouse - Holland Michigan
- Holland Michigan
The Official Travel Information Site For the Greater Holland, MI Area - Seeing The Light - South Haven Pier Lighthouse
- Seeing The Light - South Haven Pier Lighthouse, South Haven Michigan
- Grand Haven Lighthouse
- Grand
Haven South Pier
and Pierhead Inner Light - Lighthouses of Michigan - Muskegon Lighthouse
- Website for Lighthouses of Michigan
- Lighthouse Directory
- The Lighthouse DirectoryWelcome to the Lighthouse Directory, which provides information and links for more than 10,000 of the world's lighthouses. Latest update October 27, 2008. This week the page for Sardinia has been rewritten, thanks to information provided by Michel Forand, with several new lis
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Maine Lighthouses Explorer
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Bringing you the best of Maine Lighthouses. I will highlight several of my favorite lighthouses in Maine, along with a link to my Lighthouses in Maine Blog. Information on the who, what, when, where and how of the remaining 54 operational lighthouses...
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Lighthouses of Door County, Wisconsin
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Door County is on a peninsula that juts out of the northeastern section of Wisconsin. One hot sticky August in St. Louis we decided to escape the heat and headed north. When we entered Door Country we were met with pleasant temperatures, some wonderf...
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Jupiter Lighthouse through the eye of a Camera
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Every year we visit Jupiter, Florida to watch the Cardinals Spring Training. When we're not at the baseball fields, my favorite site in Jupiter is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. It is a wonderful red lighthouse that can be seen from many of the restau...
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South Carolina Lighthouses
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Lighthouse Friends.com lists 10 lighthouses in South Carolina. On a recent visit I was able to photograph 4 of them. Each of the four was unique. There was the modern lighthouse in Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, an unusual square shaped light on...
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Georgia Lighthouses. Beautiful and Historic!
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I love lighthouses and on a recent trip to the Georgia coast we went on a quest to photograph each lighthouse. I was pleasantly surprised to find several unique lighthouses near the area where we were staying. After further research, not only did I f...
Holland Michigan Lighthouse-Nicknamed "Big Red"
Lighthouse Musings
Lighthouse Photos
This blog is dedicated to comments and photos on lighthouses I have visited
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLighthouse Enthusiasts Headquarters
lenses on lighthouses
Do you have a lens on lighthouses? I would love to feature you in the Lighthouse Enthusiasts Headquarters. Please drop me a line and let me know about your interest in lighthouses and what lenses you have on the subject.-
Lighthouse Enthusiasts Headquarters
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Lighthouse Enthusiasts Lighthouses seem to fascinate many people. They bring feelings of hope and wonder! Lighthouses are fun. There are many great stories about lighthouses of the past, stories of the lighthouse keepers and the danger of the s...
Do you love lighthouses?
Have you ever visited a lighthouse? Do you love reading about lighthouses and looking at photos? Tell us about your interest in lighthouses.
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Reply
- OneFootPutt OneFootPutt Nov 23, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
- We're planning a trip around Lake Michigan next summer. I'm looking forward to visiting some of these places myself.
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- eccles1 eccles1 Nov 11, 2009 @ 7:16 pm
- How lovely ! I didn't know Michigan had so many lighthouses!!
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Oct 24, 2009 @ 10:33 am
- My dear, do you have a Lighthouse Blog? You have got the best lighthouse lenses I've ever seen!
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- Laniann Laniann Oct 4, 2009 @ 11:25 am
- What a wonderful lens. I am familiar with many of the locations but, I didn't know Michigan had so many lighthouses. 5*s
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- PJ_Deneen PJ_Deneen Aug 27, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
- My husband and I spent our vacation this year visiting lighthouses in the Muskegon area including many of the ones you have listed here. Great lens. It brings back happy memories.
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