Until the early 20th Century, northern Michigan was almost completely dependent on waterborne commerce for all of its needs. Thousands of sailing vessels and early steamers plied the Great Lakes at a time when there were almost no aids to navigation to guide them along the dangerous coastline with its treacherous rocks, shoals and reefs. One such reef extends 1-1/2 miles out into Lake Huron at Sturgeon Point, just north of Harrisville, Michigan. In 1869, the Lighthouse Service began construction of the lighthouse at Sturgeon Point to mark this hazard. Sturgeon Point Lighthouse became operational in the spring of 1870 and has been in continuous service for 139 years. The lighthouse is still operational.

The lighthouse was electrified and automated in 1939 and the last personnel left in 1941. The Coast Guard buildings were subsequently destroyed, however, the lighthouse itself survived but was severely vandalized.

In 1982 the Alcona Historical Society leased the lighthouse and began a three - year restoration project. The interior of the keeper's house was completely restored, and the buildings were painted. Almost all of the work was done by volunteers, directed by Floyd Benghauser. The lighthouse is of masonry construction on a limestone block foundation. The tower is 70 feet, 9 inches tall and is 16 feet in diameter at its base. The light is a 3.5 order Fresnel lens made in Paris, France. The light apparatus is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The keeper's house is now a maritime museum which is open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend. The lighthouse tower is open to the public for climbing at a nominal fee. The grounds are open all year.
 

Hours of Operation Open Memorial Day Weekend SPHL will be open Saturday, Sunday and holidays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lighthouse Contact Information Mary Hamather Phone: 765-465-3984

Northbound on US-23
Watch for sign approximately 1 ½ miles North of Harrisville and turn right on Lake Shore Drive. Turn right (east) on Point Road and the entrance to the Lighthouse and Bailey School will be on the left.

Southbound on US-23
Watch for sign on the right after going through the Black River Hills. You'll be on a hill and need to be in the center lane. Turn left onto Lake Shore Drive and then right on Point Road. The entrance will be on your left.

Click here to view our location on the map.

Also on site at the Lighthouse is the Bailey School, a one-room schoolhouse originally operated in Mikado, a small community approximately 25 miles southwest of the lighthouse. The Norway pine structure was built in 1907 and is still furnished with items of its era. Original to the school is the recitation bench, blackboard, maps, coat rack and pump. Other items include teacher and student desks, drinking pail and dipper, wood stove, and books.  Its original school bell sits on the building’s roof. This is one of the few remaining one-room schoolhouses still standing in Michigan, and it is a reminder of simpler times.

The school remained open through the 1940-41 school year. When the school was closed the students were transported to Oscoda schools. In 1973, Mikado Township began a partial restoration of the building and in 1998 it was disassembled and moved to the Sturgeon Point location. The historical society’s annual Log Cabin Day and Strawberry Social is held at the school on the last Sunday in June.