Red brick and steep red roofs emerge from a dense canopy of evergreens on this remote Lake Michigan island. The lighthouse’s octagonal tower stands beside its attached keeper’s dwelling, while a separate weathered building remains nearby. Todd’s aerial views show both the station’s architectural detail and its secluded setting just inland from the shore.
Quick Facts
| Location | North point of Ojibwa Island · north of Beaver Island, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Michigan · Beaver Island archipelago |
| Historic name | Squaw Island Light |
| First lit | 1892 |
| Decommissioned | 1928 |
| Construction | Octagonal red-brick tower attached to a keeper’s dwelling |
| Lantern | Black lantern above a gallery |
| Ownership | Private |
| Access | Remote private island; permission required to land or enter |
History & Description
The station was established in 1892 on an island north of Beaver Island. Its red-brick tower is octagonal rather than round, with a black lantern and an attached dwelling. The light was decommissioned in 1928, and the property passed into private ownership.
The lighthouse retains its historic Squaw Island name, while the island is now known as Ojibwa Island. Township planning documents place the station at the island’s north point and connect its retirement with the opening of the offshore Lansing Shoal light in 1928.
In the closer photograph, the tower’s buttressed lower walls, arched windows, lantern gallery, and steep roofs stand out against the forest. The separate neighboring dwelling shows a different stage of weathering. The wider view places the buildings behind a narrow curving beach, emphasizing how thoroughly the station is enclosed by woodland.
Visitor Information
- Island setting
- Ojibwa Island lies in the Beaver Island archipelago in northern Lake Michigan. This lighthouse is separate from the lights on Beaver Island itself.
- Access
- The station is privately owned. There is no public road approach or assumed public tour access. Obtain permission before landing on the island or entering the buildings; a shoreline view does not imply permission to visit the grounds.
- Viewing
- Arrange any water-based viewing with an operator familiar with the islands and local conditions. Do not rely on the presence of a beach as evidence of safe landing or visitor facilities.
- Photography
- A distant composition shows the forest and shoreline around the station; a closer view reveals the brickwork and lantern. The two photographs here provide complementary views without repeating the same framing.
Historical reference: U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office. Island name and local context: St. James Township recreation plan.
Photo Gallery
Two aerial views of the lighthouse and its island setting. Select a photograph to view it larger.