Recently when we were on the way to Silver Lake Sand Dunes, we stopped for the second time at Little Sable Point Lighthouse. Unlike the first time we came to this lighthouse, we arrived during business hours and got to climb to the top.
This has always been one of my favorite lighthouses. It has a slightly ornate, refined, old world feel, where a lot of others in Michigan look like postcard Americana. These red bricks were painted white from 1899 to 1976 for ease of visibility, during which time the lighthouse wasn’t quite as cool looking.
As soon as we parked at the lighthouse, I had to go to the bathroom. To my relief, there were public restrooms, and to my surprise, the one I used wasn’t absolutely horrible. For anyone wondering what the “rustic toilets” described on the lighthouse’s website look like, here’s one.
The lighthouse is open to climb from May 11 through Labor Day and for a couple of weeks in the fall. We went to the gift shop to buy our tickets to do so, priced at $8 each.
I thought it was pretty cool that the gift shop had lighthouse-branded Owala bottles.
On the way over to the lighthouse, there was a strangely poignant bench: “You made it to the lighthouse Mom.”
We handed our tickets to a lady sitting in a camp chair in front of the lighthouse, reading a novel.
Onward up the stairs.
In the little room at the top of the stairs, there was another lady who gave us a brief history spiel and hazarded answers at a couple of questions before we stepped outside.
Here was the view from the top.
Markers along the railing informed me of our altitude (95 feet) and pointed the way to Chicago across Lake Michigan.
The lighthouse’s original third-order Fresnel lens is housed on the roof.
Here’s a condensed history of this lighthouse, based on a framed timeline they had hanging on the wall:
- 1870: The need for a lighthouse here is first officially mentioned.
- 1873: Construction begins.
- 1874: Construction is completed and light is activated.
- 1954: Lighthouse is electrified and automated.
- 1955: Keeper’s house and outbuildings are demolished.
- 1974: Federal government transfers ownership to State of Michigan.
- 2005: Restoration begins.
- 2006: Opened to the public.
After about 13 minutes at the top, we had our fill and headed back down, making sure to duck our heads.
There’s a pretty nice beach right at the foot of the lighthouse, and plenty of people were there making the most of a nice day.
Next on our agenda was a hike through the sand dunes, near to where a Mad Max-like convoy of trucks, four-wheelers and all manner of machines were rumbling away at the Silver Lake ORV Area. It was my first time seeing that particular Michigan thing. I’ll be writing that up soon.
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