Waugoshance Shoal, MI

Photographer: Roy Westin

Waugoshance

Northern Lake Michigan

Built: (1832 Lightships) 1851

Construction: Foundation - concrete pier on a timber crib, Lighthouse - Concrete, Brick

Status: Inactive

Location: Approximately 17 miles West of Mackinaw Bridge, just off Waugoshance Point

Height: Approximately 69 feet above water level.

Access: Boat, Waugoshance State Park has a boat launch on Sturgeon Bay. Light is about 15 miles around Waugoshance Island. Very hazardous area so use caution

Lighthouse History : This Light was the first constructed in Northeastern Lake Michigan, around the passage between Beaver Island and the Straits of Mackinaw. Originally starting in 1832, Lightships would anchor here to guide ships past Waugoshance Island and Point. The light you see today was constructed in 1851 to replace the one of many Lightships stationed in this area. The conical brick light tower was constructed on a timber crib foundation filled and capped with limestone. The odd shaped quarters near the base were encased with iron plates in 1883. The original lens was a Fourth Order Fresnel.

It remained active until around 1910 when the next of the reef (shoal) lights was constructed just Northwest about 7 miles ( White Shoal Lighthouse ) in 1910. The Light was abandon in 1912, and has had a hard life since then. Left to the mercy of mother nature, and during WW2 was used for target practice.