With HURON spelled across its dark hull, Lightship No. 103 brings a different kind of beacon to Michigan’s lighthouse story. Its light rose above the deck on a mast, carrying a familiar navigational purpose in the form of a ship. Today, the preserved vessel sits beside the St. Clair River at Pine Grove Park, with the Blue Water Bridge in the distance.
Quick Facts
| Location | Pine Grove Park · Port Huron, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | St. Clair River · formerly stationed on Lake Huron |
| Vessel | Lightship No. 103 · Huron |
| Launched | 1920 |
| Retired | 1970 |
| Type | Preserved lightship · museum vessel |
| Museum operator | Port Huron Museums |
| Address | 800 Prospect Place · Port Huron, MI 48060 |
History & Description
Lightships marked waters where building a fixed lighthouse was impractical. Anchored on station, they carried a masthead light and sounded fog signals to guide passing vessels. Huron’s tall masts, rigging, and shipboard equipment tell that story in a form quite different from a shoreline tower.
Launched in 1920 as Lightship No. 103, the vessel was built for Great Lakes service. After assignments elsewhere on the lakes, it served at Corsica Shoal north of Port Huron. Huron became the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes.
Its retirement in 1970 closed that chapter of regional navigation. The ship was transferred to Port Huron in 1971 and moved to Pine Grove Park in 1972. Preserved as a museum, it now offers a close look at the working environment of a crew whose lighthouse was also their vessel.
Visitor Information
- Getting there
- Find the Huron Lightship Museum at 800 Prospect Place in Pine Grove Park, Port Huron, beside the St. Clair River.
- Tours and admission
- The museum operates seasonally. Check Port Huron Museums for current opening dates, tour availability, admission, and last-entry times before traveling.
- Accessibility
- The museum states that the historic ship is not wheelchair accessible. Contact museum staff to discuss access needs and available visitor options.
- Photography
- A broadside view captures the HURON lettering and masthead light. The park’s paths and planting beds offer wider compositions, while the river and Blue Water Bridge place the vessel in its waterfront setting.
Plan your visit: Port Huron Museums’ official Huron Lightship guide. Historical background: Michigan’s historic landmark profile for Lightship No. 103.
Photo Gallery
Two views of the preserved lightship and its riverfront setting. Select any photograph to view it larger.