Captain John's Custom Photos & Framing

Michigan Lighthouses - Round Island Light - off Mackinac Island, Michigan

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Originally built in 1895-96, Round Island Light was automated in 1924, decommissioned in 1947, and later nearly succumbed to neglect, high lake waters, and erosion. The three-story brick structure is painted red on the bottom level and the upper stories are white. The 53-foot red brick tower rises out of the northwest corner of Round Island, in the Straits of Mackinac, facing Mackinac Island. A black six-sided lantern tops the tower. In the 1970's a restoration project by private historical, state, and federal agencies saved the light, which has become a symbol of Mackinac Island. In 1996 a modern 300 mm solar powered light was installed in the tower.

This light tower, seen by many passengers who take the ferry to Mackinac Island, once served to mark the dangerous shoals around the channel between Round Island and Mackinac Island. The light served the Northern Passage through the Straits of Mackinaw which is used by ships traveling between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and the St. Mary's River to Lake Superior. It is currently owned by the Forest Service and maintained by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association.

The lighthouse was featured in the 1982 movie “Somewhere In Time”.