Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse
The lighthouse perched atop the rocky cliffs just south of Point aux Barques was first lit in 1848, making it one of the oldest active lights in Michigan. A reef extends out from Pointe aux Barques nearly 2 miles into Lake Huron and is only covered by 20 inches of water in some places. This caused a great danger for early passenger and cargo ships, as they tended to stick to the shoreline so as to not get lost or hit rough water. The original tower was first lit in 1848 but was replaced in 1857. The keeper's dwelling was also replaced as it burned to the ground just one year after the light was first lit. Even with a lighthouse warning sailors of the reef, wrecks continued to happen in the shallow waters of Lake Huron off Point aux Barques. This led to the construction of a life-saving station on the premises. Life-saving stations were very common on the Great Lakes around the turn of the century, but to my knowledge, this may have been one of only three located on the shores of Michigan’s thumb. The lifesaving station closed in 1937, and at some point, the light was electrified and completely automated. Today, the light still operates, and the keeper's quarters are a museum. Lighthouse County Park, part of the Huron County Park System, lies directly behind the lighthouse property. Portions of the original lifesaving station were moved back to the property in recent years and it is hopeful that they will be open for tours soon. In the morning, the lighthouse is truly stunning as the sun rises over Lake Huron, but I can imagine it’s just as wonderful after the sun goes down and the stars show themselves.
