THE BEAVERHEAD LIGHTHOUSE
In the middle of the 19th century, navigation on Lake Michigan was steadily increasing. In Washington, it was decided that a lighthouse was needed in the Beaver Island Archipelago to aid the growing number of ships that were sailing from Chicago to the Straits of Mackinac.
President Millard Fillmore laid aside a tract of land on Beaver Island comprising of 158.2 acres on November 21, 1850. Located at the southern end of Beaver Island, Beaver Head marked the west side of the approach most used by vessels passing from Lake Michigan into the Straits of Mackinac. Only after the building was completed did officials find it had been erected two miles east of the federally designated land. It took a presidential order in 1954 for President Dwight Eisenhower to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile the Beaver Head Lighthouse was a working “light” from 1852 until it was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1962, when a radio beacon was constructed at the site. Many lighthouse keepers and their families lived and worked at the site, some Island born, some from as far away as Texas.
Between 1963 and 1970, a private owner used the Keepers Dwelling as a hunting club. The property was vacant until 1975 when Charlevoix Public Schools purchased the site for $1. Charlevoix Public Schools used the facility as an Environmental Education Center until 2016. In 2019, the Lighthouse property was purchased by Charlevoix County & Networks Northwest.
The Beaver Head Lighthouse has undergone restoration over the years, and the current structure is still under renovation. The Lighthouse tower is open to the public, and many have climbed its winding stairway to view the northern waters of Lake Michigan, where this Lighthouse served such a critical role in the safety of shipping for over a century.
RESTORATION
We are finally ready to move forward on restoration and preservation of the Beaver Head Lighthouse! Please join us as we begin this exciting project; you can make a difference by donating today. The Beaver Island Historical Society, in collaboration with Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest, is fundraising to bring a group of historical preservation experts to the island in the summer of 2022. Eastern Michigan University's Historic Preservation Graduate Field School will assess the preservation needs of our Beaver Head Lighthouse, the third oldest on the Great Lakes.
Our vision is for the lighthouse to be restored and sustainable. We have many ideas for public access including a museum in the Keeper's House attached to the lighthouse.
Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program (EMU HPP) conducts an annual one-week, hands-on field school with about twenty students, two faculty members, and a field school managers assist in the preservation and/or restoration of an historic structure or its contents. The Field School introduces a variety of preservation and restoration techniques such as masonry, plastering, painting, cataloguing of artefacts, documenting the historic structure, and much more.
For more information about the program visit: https://www.emich.edu/geography-geology/programs/historic-preservation/glance.php
The Beaver Island Historical Society will host Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program May 20-28, 2023.
For more information please view the EMU newsletter and 2022 Report.
Beaver Island Historical Society Continues Collaborative Efforts to Restore Beaver Head Lighthouse
The Beaver Island Historical Society (BIHS) continues to work collaboratively with property owners Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest in support of the long-term preservation and restoration of the historic Beaver Head Lighthouse.
As one of the most iconic maritime landmarks in the Great Lakes region, Beaver Head Lighthouse represents an important part of Beaver Island’s cultural identity, maritime heritage, and public history. Constructed in 1858, the lighthouse has guided generations of sailors and remains a treasured destination for residents and visitors alike.
Over the past several years, BIHS, Charlevoix County, and Networks Northwest have engaged in ongoing discussions and cooperative efforts focused on protecting the site and planning for its future preservation. These collaborative efforts have included maintenance coordination, restoration planning conversations, community engagement, site advocacy, and exploration of long-term preservation strategies.
The Historical Society greatly appreciates the continued partnership and stewardship demonstrated by both Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest. Together, the organizations share a common goal of ensuring that the lighthouse complex remains publicly accessible and historically preserved for future generations.
BIHS has also supported volunteer maintenance efforts, assisted in promoting public awareness of the site’s significance, and advocated for thoughtful restoration approaches that respect the historic character of the property while improving long-term sustainability and visitor access.
Future goals for the lighthouse complex include:
- Restoration of the lighthouse tower and keeper’s quarters
- Preservation of the surrounding historic landscape
- Expanded educational and interpretive opportunities
- Increased accessibility and visitor experience improvements
- Development of a sustainable long-term stewardship vision
“Beaver Head Lighthouse is more than a historic structure. It is a symbol of Beaver Island’s connection to the Great Lakes and an important community landmark,” said Lori Taylor-Blitz, Executive Director of the Beaver Island Historical Society. “We are grateful for the collaborative relationship we continue to build with Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest as we work together toward preserving this extraordinary site.”
The Beaver Island Historical Society remains committed to supporting collaborative preservation efforts and encouraging community involvement in shaping the future of this treasured historic landmark.
Location and Operation Hours
26275 Main Street
Beaver Island, MI 49782
Phone: (231)-448-2254
Map
Museum Hours (2026 Hours)
June: Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5 PM, Sun 1-4 PM
July: Hours: Mon - Sat 11-5 PM, Sun 1-4
Aug 1 through Sept 7: Mon - Sat 11-5 PM, Sun 1-4
Sept 8 through Sept 30: Hours: Thur - Sat 1-4 PM
October: Hours: Thu-Sat 1-4 PM
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