Michigan Lights - Grand Isle East Channel

Can you see the Grand Isle. East Channel Light? 10/4/24 dwm

On our first day in Michigan we looked for the Grand Island East Channel light for several minutes before we saw it.

We were on the mainland in front of the National Park Service headquarters looking at Grand Island, which is at least a 1/2-mile away.

A small white building caught my eye but it wasn't until I remembered seeing pictures of the East Channel light that I knew what I was searching for, then I looked to my right and found it.

We spent the night in Munising. Our hotel was less than five miles from where I could see the light, so the plan was to ride back for a better view in the morning.

The Grand Island East Channel light the following morning. 10/5/2024 dwm

What a difference the sun makes!

The weathered siding of the old lighthouse gives the old structure personality. The light went into operation in 1868. It survived a fire caused by lightning in 1891. Storms seven years later eroded much of the shoreline, plans were made to move the house in-land, but instead a large crib was constructed to create land in front of it.

The lighthouse on the far shore. 10/5/24 dwm

The East Channel Light helped ships from the east into the Munising harbor until 1908 when it was replaced by the Munising Range Lights (published 10/20/24).

The land on which the light sat was purchased by a group of private owners in 1913, who controlled the land and house for 80 years.

The local newspaper wrote an editorial urging the community to take action before decay or the lake itself erased the iconic landmark. The money raised built up the shoreline around the light while new support beams were installed and the outside walls reinforced.

The lantern was worked on and a new copper roof installed but the rest retained its naturally weathered look. Images of the East Channel Lighthouse can be seen around the community and thanks to their work, it should be visible for years to come.