Sand Point Lighthouse

Sand Point Lighthouse is located within the city limits of Escanaba, Michigan just north of the marina. It is situated on Lake Michigan. I find this to be an unusual lighthouse, because it is the only one I know of that faces away from the water.

Background on this lighthouse is provided by a State of Michigan Historical Marker in front of the lighthouse. It reads:

From 1868 to 1939 the Sand Point Lighthouse warned mariners of the spit of land extending into Little Bay de Noc at the entrance to Escanaba Harbor. The U.S. Congress authorized construction of the lighthouse in 1864, shortly after the first railroad began hauling iron ore from the mines to docks at Escanaba. The newly appointed keeper, John Terry, died just before the opening of the light, so his wife, Mary, lit the lamp for the first time on May 13, 1868. Mary Terry served as keeper until March 1886 when she died in a mysterious fire at the lighthouse. In 1939 the new crib light began operating in the harbor. From 1985 to 1990 the Delta County Historical Society restored the lighthouse and tower.

Note that the lantern room installed at the top of the tower was removed from Poverty Island Lighthouse and reinstalled on the Sand Point tower after its restoration in the 1980s. The Fresnel lens installed in the tower is a replica. The actual Fourth Order Fresnel lens from Sand Point is in the museum adjacent to the lighthouse.

Lighthouse Tour

The lighthouse was open for tours the day I visited it. Both exterior and interior shots are in the gallery below.