Bois Blanc Island, MI

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Bois Blanc Island

Bois Blanc Island, MI

Built : 1867

Type : Square, brick

Status : Inactive

Location : Northeastern tip of Bois Blanc Island on Northern Lake Huron.

Access : Boat

List of Keepers - 1829 thru 1924
1829 - 1843	Eber Ward
1843 - 1845	William Church
1845 - 1854	Lyman Granger
1854 - 1855	Mrs. Charles O'Malley
1855 - 1857	Henry W. Grainger
1857 - 1857	Mary Grainger (filled in few months)
1857 - 1859	Peter Therien
1859 - 1861	Charles Syons
1861 - 1866	Charles Louisignau
1866 - 1867	Charles Hamel
1867 - 1870	John Wackter
1870 - 1874	Vetal Bourisau
1874 - 1881	Levi Chapman
1881 -1881	William Marshal (acting 2 months)
1881 - 1894	Lorenzo Holden
1894 - 1924	Henry Metivier

History of the Light : Congress had appropriated $5,000 on May 23, 1828 for construction of a lighthouse on Bois Blanc Island and a station was first established here in 1829. The tower and keeper's house were constructed by Philo Scoville of Cleveland Ohio. This was the second lighthouse constructed on Lake Huron with Fort Gratiot being the first. In 1838, the original tower collapsed because of it's construction too close to the water's edge. A new lighthouse was constructed that same year and still stands today. The entire structure is built of colorful yellow brick with a square tower and attached keeper's house with a gabled roof. The original lens was a Fourth Order Fresnel which remained in service until it's deactivation in 1924. At that time it was ordered to be sold by the Secretary of Commerce. Sale of the lighthouse and property finally took place in 1925. The entire structure along with a yellow brick outhouse is still standing today. This lighthouse happens to be one of the few that never fell into jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard although the later skeletal towers were.