Round Island Passage, MI

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Photographer: Keith W. Churill

Round Island Passage

Mackinac Island, MI

Built: 1947

Construction: Octagonal, concrete

Status: Active

Location: Mackinac Island, MI.

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.

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 is shortened with the use of the current Round Island Passage Lighthouse. This lighthouse guides ships through the passage between Round island and Mackinac Island. Originally this passage was marked by the Round Island Lighthouse on the North Western tip of Round Island until it's deactivation in 1947. At that time this light took over service in the area.

The lighthouse is constructed of reinforced concrete on a crib foundation. The octagonal tower is white with a red base. The sealed beam type lens was first lit in 1948. This light was automated in 1973 and still operates today.