Sturgeon Point, MI

Photographer: Keith W. Churill

Sturgeon Point

Harrisville, MI

Built : 1869

Construction : Conical, Brick

Status : Active

Location : Harrisville, MI - Just North of M-72 off of US-23. Turn right on Point Road and follow the signs (approximately 1 mile).

Height : 70 feet 9 inches

Access : Car, parking near the light.

Photographer: Keith W. Churill

Lighthouse History : Sturgeon Point received it's name from the many sturgeon that spawn here each spring. This point is another of the many hazardous areas along the Lake Huron coastline with a reef extending approximately 1 1/2 miles out from shore.

Photographer: Keith W. Churill

In 1854, a fishing station was established here by a gentleman, by the name of Perley Silverton, who would later become the first lightkeeper of the lighthouse to be built here.

In 1869, with maritime commerce on the upper Great Lakes greatly increasing, the U.S. Lighthouse Service chose to begin construction of a lighthouse at Sturgeon Point to aid in coastal navigation.

Completed in 1870, the white lighthouse stands 70 feet 9 inches tall with a base diameter of 16 feet tapering to 10 feet at the top. The tower is of brick, masonry construction built atop a limestone foundation. A total of 84 cast iron steps lead to the red trimmed, cast iron lantern room. The lighthouse originally used a Third and One-Half Order Fresnel lens, lighted with kerosene, to produce a beacon with a range of 16 miles.

The U.S. Life Saving Service began to establish many stations along the Great Lakes coastline. In 1876, a Life Saving Station was established here at Sturgeon Point. At that time Perley Silverton was re-assigned to Captain of the new station with John Pasque stepping in as Lightkeeper.

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

The lighthouse was converted to acetylene in 1913. This change no longer required a full time keeper, thus maintenance became the responsibility of the Life Saving Crew.

In 1915, the U.S. Coast Guard was established. All responsibilities of the U.S. Lighthouse Service were now that of the Coast Guard and Sturgeon Point became a Coast Guard Station.

In 1939, the lighthouse was changed from acetylene to an electric aircraft type beacon.

The Coast Guard Station was closed in 1941 with the lighthouse remaining in operation. Wm. Olsen and George Elmer were the last of the Coast Guardsman to serve at the station.

Restoration: The land was deeded to the State of Michigan in 1961. At that time the Life Saving Station buildings were gone and the keepr's house had been vandalized. In 1982, the Alcona Historical Society leased the property from the State of Michigan to begin restoration of the lighthouse and keeper's house. The keeper's house is now part of a maritime museum and is open to the public seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September. The grounds are open to visitors year-round.

Photographer: Keith W. Churill

Alcona Historical Society

P.O. Box 174

Harrisville, MI 48740

The Alcona Historical Society is a non-profit organization.

Contact them for more information on Memberships.

All donations are Tax deductable