At the southern tip of the Stonington Peninsula, a square brick tower stands among trees and open water. Peninsula Point recalls the sailing ships that once rounded this shoreline on their way to the ports of northern Green Bay.
Quick Facts
| Location | Southern tip of the Stonington Peninsula · Delta County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Michigan · Green Bay, between Big and Little Bays de Noc |
| Construction | 1865 · First lighted in 1866 |
| Tower height | 40 feet |
| Automated | 1922 |
| Deactivated | 1936 |
| Management | USDA Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest |
| Today | Historic tower and shoreline recreation area |
History & Description
Peninsula Point marked a natural turn for vessels navigating around the Stonington Peninsula. Shoals extending from the point made a dependable beacon valuable to ships serving the surrounding ports.
Built in 1865 and first lighted in 1866, the station combined a brick keeper’s dwelling with a 40-foot tower. Its fourth-order Fresnel lens helped guide mariners through the bay.
The light was automated in 1922. As shipping routes changed and Minneapolis Shoal Lighthouse took over the offshore navigational role, Peninsula Point was deactivated in 1936.
The keeper’s dwelling is gone, but the square tower remains. Its cream-colored brickwork, dark gallery, and lantern rise above the wooded shoreline, a compact reminder of the point’s working maritime past.
Visitor Information
- Getting there
- The lighthouse stands at the end of the Stonington Peninsula, south of Rapid River. Use the Forest Service’s directions and check road conditions before driving to the point.
- Tower and grounds
- Explore the shoreline and historic tower area while respecting posted restrictions. Confirm current tower access before counting on a climb.
- Nature at the point
- The limestone shoreline, woodland, and open water make this more than a lighthouse stop. Peninsula Point is also known for monarch migration and birdwatching.
- Plan ahead
- Check the Hiawatha National Forest’s Peninsula Point information for current access, facilities, and alerts. Bring water and be prepared for changing lakeshore weather.
- Photography
- Views from the water show how the tower sits among the trees at the peninsula’s tip. A closer frame emphasizes its brickwork and lantern; a broad composition captures the surrounding shoreline.
Photo Gallery
Two views of Peninsula Point Lighthouse from the water. Select a photograph to view it larger.
Explore the Bays de Noc
Visit Peninsula Point through our travel journal →
Discover Minneapolis Shoal Lighthouse →