The Incredible Lighthouse In Michigan That Has Been Left In Ruins
By Tori Jane|Published April 01, 2024
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Lake Michigan is nothing short of spectacular, no matter which state and/or shoreline you experience it from. It’s enormous, and even the largest of ships can meander around it comfortably. Of course, this ensures a need – at least at a time long past – for things such as lighthouses, ensuring the safety of everyone on and offshore. Enter the stunningly beautiful (and quite tropical-looking) Waugoshance Point, a beautiful chain of islands extending into the lake. But upon closer inspection, one might notice that it’s a bit… tired. It’s the Waugoshance Point Light, and it’s been abandoned for more than a century. This abandoned lighthouse in Michigan may not exist for much longer thanks to the trials of time and erosion; of all the abandoned places in Michigan, this one might just be the most delightfully photogenic.
Lake Michigan attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
So, why exactly did this specific part of the lake need a lighthouse to begin with?
Large ships setting sail from Chicago destined to head north (and/or east) would find themselves carefully navigating the waters on the narrow tip of the lake, where water can be shallow and dangers plentiful.
This particular lighthouse, however, was decommissioned in 1912, after it was replaced with a more modern (and brighter) light. It 'did its time' for a surprisingly short period of time, given that some lighthouses still in operation have been around since the thirteenth century.
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Following the permanent shutting off of its light, this little lighthouse was left to fend for itself and honestly, I've got to give it credit for holding up so well for so long.
It's a feat of old-school engineering, and as of the time of this writing, it's in immediate danger of crumbling into the sea - or, rather, the lake. Decades of no upkeep will eventually get to even the most well-built structures, especially when the water is an ever-present source of erosion.
In 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, protecting it from harm but not quite preserving it, either. Nowadays, it's a day-to-day thing - but hopefully, it sticks around for a while longer.
But should you wish to see a lighthouse in this area that's still in operation, there's always the White Shoal Light, which is the one that directly replaced the Waugoshance Light.
Planning to visit Lake Michigan and need a place to stay? Check out all the unique offerings from our friends at VRBO. Have you ever noticed this abandoned lighthouse in Michigan? Do you have any pictures of it? Let me know in the comments!
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