A red lantern roof, green shutters, and warm brick give Little Traverse Lighthouse the character of a lakeside home. Also known as Harbor Point Light, the station stands among pines at the entrance to Harbor Springs. Seen from above, its white fence and neat lawn form a small enclosure between the wooded point and the blue water of Little Traverse Bay.
Quick Facts
| Location | Harbor Point, near Harbor Springs, Emmet County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Little Traverse Bay · Lake Michigan |
| First lit | September 25, 1884 |
| Historic tower | Square brick tower attached to the keeper’s dwelling |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel |
| Deactivated | 1963; replaced by a nearby skeletal light tower |
| Ownership | Harbor Point Association |
| Visitor access | Private property; no general public land access |
History & Description
Little Traverse Lighthouse first shone on September 25, 1884, marking Harbor Point at the entrance to Harbor Springs. Its light helped mariners approaching the sheltered harbor from Little Traverse Bay.
The station combines a brick keeper’s dwelling with an attached square tower. Green shutters and a red lantern roof distinguish the building, while the compact layout gives it a domestic scale. Todd’s aerial photographs show the lighthouse within its fenced grounds, with the surrounding beach, pines, and bay providing a wider sense of place.
A separate fog-bell tower stands near the shore. Its white walls and red roof echo the main building and preserve another part of the station’s maritime setting.
In 1963, a nearby 41-foot skeletal tower replaced the historic brick lighthouse as the navigation light. The old station remains a distinctive landmark on Harbor Point.
Visitor Information
The lighthouse is within the private Harbor Point community near Harbor Springs. It is a historic landmark, but it is not a public walk-up attraction.
- Land access
- There is no general public land access to the lighthouse. Do not plan to drive or walk through the private community without authorization.
- Views from the water
- The bay offers offshore views of Harbor Point. Visibility depends on your position, distance, and conditions; remain clear of the shoreline and respect private property.
- Public waterfront
- Harbor Springs provides a public waterfront from which to enjoy the harbor and surrounding bay. Treat this as a separate stop rather than a route onto the lighthouse grounds.
- Photography
- A longer lens can help with distant views from permitted locations. The photographs here show both the lighthouse’s architectural details and its broader setting on the point.
Historical and access information checked October 14, 2026, against the U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office.
Photo Gallery
Three photographs by Todd. Select a photograph to view it larger.
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