South Manitou Island, MI

Photographer: Roy Westin

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

South Manitou Island

Manitou Island, MI

Built : 1839, 1872

Type : Conical, Brick

Status : Inactive

Location : Southeastern tip of Manitou Island, MI

Height : 104 feet

Access : Boat or Ferry from Leland, MI .

Photographer: Roy Westin

History of the Light : The South Manitou Light was first established in 1839 at 35 feet tall being a total of 65 feet above lake level. Not being tall enough for adequate visibility it was reconstructed in 1872 at 104 feet tall. It was constructed as another one of the "Tall Five" Great Lakes towers all constructed from the same plans with the classic "Poe" style. The new lens focal plane is at 130 feet above lake level. In 1875 the fog bell was replaced with a steam fog signal. After being decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1958 it is now a museum as part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.