MIchigan Lights - Grand Marais Range Lights

The rear range light at Grand Marais.10/5/24 dwm

This is the only harbor of refuge between Grand Island to the west and Whitefish Point to the east.

French for 'Great Marsh,' the Ojibiwa people called Grand Marais Kitchi-bitobig or 'Great Pond.' It was settled by Europeans in 1861.

I walked from the side of the harbor opposite the rear light (photo left) around the bay to its base.

From the tower I looked out to the lake where the front range light stands.

It took a while before the harbor was created, and ten years to build parallel piers into the inland sea, digging a deep channel for ships that would close the bay's natural opening to protect the new entrance. (Thanks to LighthouseFriends for their great information.)

The front range light. 10/5/24 dwm

I don't know how far it was between range lights but it took a while to walk out on the pier jutting into Lake Superior. It has hardest walking on sand so I tried to stay on concrete as much as I could.

The local historical society takes care of the lights and a museum in the keeper's house. Another old building is under repair. When it's done that will add one more spectacular place to visit.

In 2024, it's a comfort driving into a community after miles of road and few services; I can only imagine the relief captains felt after storms whipped up and their only destination was safety, like what they found in the bay at Grand Marais.