Michigan Lights - Point Iroquios

Point Iroquios Lighthouse. 10/7/2024 dwm

Point Iroquios is directly across Whitefish Bay from Whitefish Point.

For west-bound ships its light points the way to Whitefish where they can head to western ports. Ships heading east looked for the light to find St. Mary's River and the locks.

The first lighthouse on the point went into service a year after the Soo Locks opened, which meant there was a lot of traffic navigating the the St. Mary's River as it opened to Lake Superior.

Thirteen years after the first light, the Lighthouse Board decided it was in such bad shape a new light was needed. Work started on the current lighthouse in 1870 with a 62-foot tall tower. By 1884, additions were made to help ships during fog, first with a bell, then a steam-powered whistle.

The lantern at Point Iroquios. 10/7/24 dwm

The fog signal required an assistant to help the operation, but it was more than ten years before officials provided funds. The account shared in Lighthouse Friends presumes the inadequate accommodations is why six different assistants served during that time.

The last keeper logged out in 1962 as the station was boarded up and closed.

The light was deactivated a year later when a Canadian light went into service two miles northeast.

The lighthouse simply sat for most of the next twenty years when a local historical society worked with the forest service to restore the house and create a museum. It's opened in 1988.