Mendota Lighthouse View (Lac Labelle Harbor Navigation Project)
The first lighthouse built at this location was completed in 1869, though it was soon abandoned due to lack of use. However, it was rebuilt in 1895, automated in the 1930s, and decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1956. After that, it was transitioned into a private residence. The property is only accessible by boat because no roads lead to it. However, the area has multiple marinas and boat launches, making getting supplies and construction materials easier.
The lighthouse was sold in the 1990s and remains in private ownership. The light was relit in 1998 and is still operational today.
To view the lighthouse, take Lac La Belle Road east from Lac La Belle until it turns into Bete Gris Road. Pass Bete Gris Roadside Park and Beach (or stop for a picnic or dip) and continue until the road ends at the Mendota Canal. From here, you get a nice view of the lighthouse. Additionally, you can view the lighthouse by boat.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has maintained the Mendota Canal in recent years. The canal is artificial, connecting Lac La Belle to Lake Superior, with depths between 10 and 12 feet. It offers recreational opportunities for residents and tourists. The canal is the reason for the Mendota Lighthouse’s existence, as it was needed to mark the entryway to Lac La Belle for mining and shipping purposes.
The Mendota Canal was essential for commercial fishermen in the Keweenaw, too. In April 1936, Rep. Frank E. Hook of Ironwood said that “a deeper channel in the harbor was needed to take care of the boats in the Lake Superior fishing industry, and that the location also helped possibilities for recreational development,” according to the Ironwood Daily Globe.
Though the view of the Mendota Lighthouse isn’t as great as some of the others in Michigan, it’s a unique corner of the Keweenaw Peninsula and one worth exploring if you’ve got the time.
