A white brick tower, a dark lantern, and a red glow make a memorable landmark at Whiskey Point. Seen across the water, the light belongs to the everyday landscape of St. James: homes, boats, and a harbor shaped by island life. Up close, its worn masonry gives the modest tower a distinctly historic presence.
Quick Facts
| Location | Whiskey Point, St. James, Beaver Island, Charlevoix County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Other names | St. James Light / Whiskey Point Light |
| Earlier tower | 1856 |
| Present tower first lit | 1870 |
| Tower height | 41 feet |
| Construction | Cylindrical brick tower, painted white, with a dark lantern |
| Original lens in the present tower | Fourth-order Fresnel |
| Automated | 1927 |
| Purpose and status | Active navigation light marking the harbor approach |
| Ownership | St. James Township |
| Visitor access | Public park grounds; confirm any tower tours in advance |
History & Description
The harbor light served a different task from Beaver Head at the island’s southern end: helping vessels find the entrance to St. James Harbor. An earlier tower stood here in 1856. The surviving 41-foot tower first shone in 1870, and its fourth-order Fresnel lens gave the station a more substantial optical apparatus.
The white cylindrical shaft and dark lantern make a strong contrast against the water and sky. Unlike the southern station’s tower-and-house ensemble, the harbor lighthouse now stands alone. Its keeper’s quarters were demolished during World War II, leaving the tower as the clearest surviving expression of the light station.
Automation in 1927 changed how the beacon was tended, but did not end its navigational work. Today the historic tower remains an active light as well as a familiar island landmark. The red glow visible in Todd’s photographs connects that continuing purpose with the structure’s nineteenth-century origins.
Ownership passed to St. James Township in 2004 through the federal lighthouse preservation program. The township’s 2023–2027 recreation plan identifies the setting as Harbor Light Park, with public greenspace and lake frontage. Preservation here therefore serves two connected aims: caring for the historic tower and keeping its waterfront setting part of community life.
Historical references: U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office · GSA lighthouse preservation program · St. James Township recreation plan.
Visitor Information
Look for the light at Whiskey Point near St. James, rather than following directions to Beaver Head at the far southern end of the island.
- Finding the light
- Whiskey Point projects into the harbor at Beaver Island’s northern end. The Pure Michigan listing calls the site Whiskey Point Light.
- Grounds
- The township lists Harbor Light Park as open to the public, with greenspace and lake frontage. Walk around the tower’s exterior and compare the harbor-side and lake-side views.
- Tower tours
- The township plan mentions tours through the Beaver Island Historical Society, but does not provide a current schedule. Contact the Historical Society at 231-448-2254 before planning an interior visit.
- Photography
- Across the harbor, include the waterfront village to show the light’s setting. From the grounds, the white tower and red lantern provide a closer architectural study. Stay on public land when choosing a viewpoint.
- Two island lighthouses
- This is the harbor light at St. James. Beaver Head Lighthouse is a separate station at the island’s southern end.
Visitor information checked October 11, 2026. Public grounds access and tower tours are separate; confirm current tour arrangements locally.
Photo Gallery
Four original photographs by Todd. Select a photograph to view it larger.
One Island, Two Guiding Lights
Continue south to Beaver Head, whose brick tower and keeper’s quarters tell another chapter of the island’s maritime story.
Meet Beaver Island’s Southern Beacon →