Round Island, MI

Photographer: Patricia A. Zyczynski

Round Island

Round Island, MI

Built: 1894

Construction: Square, Brick

Status: Inactive, Fully Restored

Location: Round Island, MI.

Height: 59 feet

Access: Boat, many of the ferry services to Mackinac island provide lighthouse tours through the Straits of Mackinac.

Area Attractions: Mackinac Island is located right across the channel. With no motorized vehicles, the Grand Hotel, the Fort, horse drawn carriages and all it's natural beauty, this island is a premier vacation get-away.

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Lighthouse History: Originally vessels traveling through the Straits of Mackinac from the St. Mary's River to Lake Michigan safely traversed South of Bois Blanc Island then back North. This longer route was shortened in 1894 with the addition of the Round Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse guided ships through the passage between Round Island and Mackinac Island. The lighthouse was first lit in 1895 and operated until 1924 by a keeper and two assistants. It is constructed on a concrete pier foundation with a square brick tower. Being automated in 1924, only one man was needed to maintain it. The U.S. Coast Guard totally abandoned the lighthouse in in 1947. At that time the new Round Island Passage lighthouse, on the opposite side of the channel, went into service. The United States Forestry Service now holds deed to the property since being transferred in 1947.