A slender white tower, a red lantern roof, and a brick keeper’s dwelling stand along St. Helena Island’s wooded shore. From the water, the station looks quietly self-contained. Its survival reflects decades of volunteer care at the Lake Michigan approach to the Straits of Mackinac.
Quick Facts
| Location | St. Helena Island · Mackinac County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Michigan · western approach to the Straits of Mackinac |
| First lit | 1873 |
| Tower | Conical brick tower on a limestone foundation |
| Appearance | White tower with a red lantern roof, beside the keeper’s dwelling |
| Original optic | Three-and-a-half-order Fresnel lens |
| Automation | 1922, according to the U.S. Coast Guard |
| Status | Active aid to navigation · restored historic light station |
| Stewardship | Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA) |
| Access | By boat; contact GLLKA for current visit and volunteer arrangements |
History & Description
St. Helena Island Lighthouse began service in 1873, marking shoal water on the Lake Michigan approach to the Straits of Mackinac. The island’s natural harbor had offered shelter to travelers, but the nearby shallows made a dependable navigation light essential.
A conical brick tower on a limestone foundation held a three-and-a-half-order Fresnel lens. The lighthouse and its keeper’s dwelling formed the center of a working station that depended on boats for supplies and connections with the mainland. The Coast Guard records automation in 1922.
Without a resident keeper, the buildings deteriorated. In 1986, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association obtained a Coast Guard license to begin restoring the station. Volunteers cleared brush and debris, secured the buildings, and started the long process of bringing the complex back into use.
Today GLLKA owns and operates the light station. Its volunteer keeper program connects preservation work with life on the island, continuing the hands-on care that rescued this distinctive Straits landmark.
Visitor Information
- Arrange your visit
- The island is offshore and has no road access. Contact the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association for current visit opportunities, transport arrangements, and permission to access the station. Do not assume a regular public ferry or daily opening schedule.
- Volunteer keeper program
- GLLKA offers seasonal stays involving practical work at the station. Read its keeper manual and confirm dates, fees, eligibility, and availability directly before planning a stay.
- Boat and landing conditions
- Wind and waves can affect the crossing and landing. Follow your operator’s advice, allow flexibility in travel plans, and confirm building and tower access in advance.
- Photographing the station
- The view from the water brings the white tower, red lantern roof, brick dwelling, and tree line together. Respect the working station and follow the on-site keepers’ directions.
History and access references: GLLKA’s station history and keeper program and the U.S. Coast Guard station record. Check current arrangements with GLLKA before traveling.
Photo Gallery
A view of the lighthouse and keeper’s dwelling from the water. Select the photograph to view it larger.
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