Munising’s range lights work as a pair: line up the front and rear beacons from the water, and they reveal a course into the bay. On land, their two different settings tell another part of the harbor’s maritime story.
Quick Facts
| Location | Munising, Alger County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Munising Bay · Lake Superior |
| First operational | October 30, 1908 |
| Front tower | 58 feet · 604 West Munising Avenue |
| Rear tower | 33 feet · Hillside at the end of Hemlock Street |
| Ownership | National Park Service |
| Access | Exterior viewing · Buildings and towers closed to visitors |
History & Description
The Munising Range Lights began operating in 1908 to assist vessels approaching through the channel east of Grand Island. Their paired lights provided a clear visual alignment into the harbor.
Although the front tower is taller, the rear light stands on higher ground. That difference lets mariners see one beacon above the other when looking along the range line.
The steel towers and station buildings are cared for by the National Park Service, while the Coast Guard operates the navigation lights. Preservation work has included repairs and protective coatings for the metal towers.
Todd’s two photographs show the Front Range Light. Its pale, tapering tower rises from a neat lawn beside a small red-roofed building. The close view reveals the metal sections, gallery, and lantern against a blue sky.
Visitor Information
- Front light
- View the front tower at 604 West Munising Avenue. Respect the working park offices nearby and follow posted access signs.
- Rear light
- The rear tower stands about two blocks south, on the wooded hillside at the end of Hemlock Street.
- Access and planning
- Plan for exterior views. The station buildings and towers are not open for public interior visits. Check the National Park Service’s maritime sites information before visiting.
- Photography
- Leave space above the front tower to include its gallery and lantern. A lower viewpoint emphasizes the tower’s height; a wider frame includes its neighborhood setting.
Photo Gallery
Two views of the Munising Front Range Light. Select a photograph to view it larger.
Explore Munising and Lake Superior
Discover Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse →