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33-431: Boats from Chicago heading North (and ultimately) East need to navigate the narrow tip of northern Lake Michigan, and there are many dangers. The area around Waugoshance Point is not only shallow, it is a large (in area) projection from the bottom of the lake. Boats large enough to safely travel in times of storm cannot approach the light closer than a few hundred yards. Adding to the complication of navigation in this area

66-488: A target plane can be seen from the point parking lot. Since 1951, this area has been a nature wilderness reserve and study area. 45°45′32″N 85°00′47″W  /  45.759°N 85.013°W  / 45.759; -85.013 Lighthouse Digest Lighthouse Digest , a specialty magazine from FogHorn Publishing in East Machias , Maine , is about maritime history with particular attention to

99-570: A fur trader, was the first Englishman to venture into this area after its cession by France to Great Britain, arriving at Fort Michilimackinac in 1761, after the French garrison had abandoned the post, and before the British sent to occupy it had arrived. He found the Indians to be incensed at having been surrendered to British domination and bitterly hostile toward him and anyone not French. Henry

132-703: Is a 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km) cape or peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan from the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan in Emmet County . It separates the Straits of Mackinac to its north from Sturgeon Bay to the south and is part of Wilderness State Park . The nearest town is Mackinaw City . Waugoshance is a hybrid word , that combines the Anishinaabemowin word wah'goosh ( English : fox) and

165-580: Is daunting, if not impossible. Chris West, founder of the lighthouse society, offers boat rides. He is the harbor master at the Mackinaw City Municipal Marina, and owns the "Ugly Anne Tour Company", which operates a converted lobster boat that was brought from Maine . He says that it is no longer a question of 'if' the light will fall into the lake, but rather is a question of 'when.' Short of that, Shepler's Ferry Service out of Mackinaw City offers periodic lighthouse cruises in

198-665: Is not truly national in scope as most of the lighthouses listed are in Nova Scotia . Russ Rowlett keeps a more complete list with no official standing . A similar list for lighthouses in Puerto Rico was constructed by Sandra Shanklin for the Lighthouse Digest in 2002. This hobby magazine or journal-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . See tips for writing articles about magazines . Further suggestions might be found on

231-521: Is the White Shoal, located just north of Waugoshance. This area is currently protected by White Shoal Light —built in 1910, nearby, powerful and larger—and Grays Reef Light which rendered this lighthouse obsolete. During the last half of the nineteenth century, this light marked the turning point for ships traveling through the Straits of Mackinac and along Lake Michigan 's eastern shore between

264-518: The French word anse ( English : cove). The subaerial ridges along the cape rise approximately 13 ft (4.0 m) above lake level (an elevation of about 590 ft (180 m) above sea level. ) Beyond the tip of Waugoshance Point are Temperance Island and Waugoshance (previously, Crane) Island . The point and the islands consist of both sandy and rock and gravel beaches. These are an ideal habitat for gulls and wading shore birds, including

297-545: The Waugoshance Point Target and used for tactical bombing and strafing practice as well as for experimentation with radio controlled (drone) aircraft. Planes were flown out of the Naval Air Station at Traverse City (now Cherry Capital Airport ). Evidence of this military usage can still be found in the area. Shell fragments and motor parts are occasionally uncovered. The fuselage of

330-442: The old growth forest on and around Waugoshance was heavily logged during the second half of the 19th century. The white and red pines that made up much of the forest was in high demand nationwide for the building of individual homes and whole cities, along with furniture and other items, such as railroad ties . During World War II the cape, along with the islands off the point and the abandoned lighthouse were designated as

363-550: The preservation of lighthouses and their past. Though it is geared toward enthusiasts and antiquarians in the United States , it is also quoted commonly in more academic publications, and its editors have become a staple presence in scholarly circles. Editor Tim Harrison issued the first number in May, 1992. Coverage includes historic and current lighthouse events and an events calendar for lighthouse activities around

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396-540: The U.S. Coast Guard, so that restoration can continue. In 2009, under the terms of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act the lighthouse was put up for public sale. Another source reports, however, that "In 2009, [it was] deemed excess by the U.S. Coast Guard", so it was "offered at no cost to eligible entities, including federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit corporations, and educational organizations under

429-566: The United States and elsewhere. They publish a "Doomsday List" (see below) of Endangered lighthouses, and have helped save a number of at-risk lighthouses. They have been credited with uncovering many parts of lighthouse history that had been unknown, or which were thought to have been lost. Each issue carries articles and unusual lighthouse-related stories that, for the most part, cannot be found elsewhere, and many photos, historic and contemporary. Tim Harrison died on August 19, 2023, at

462-494: The abandoned light was used by the U.S. Navy for bombing practice. The Lighthouse keeper 's house and all of the wood framing in the lighthouse burned. The metal shell has fallen away. Today, the lighthouse "is considered one of the most endangered lighthouses in the world." It has been said that, ". . . . it is amazing that anything remains." The light was the object of a thirty year long struggle to save it. The nonprofit Waugoschance Lighthouse Preservation Society

495-524: The age of 75. Lighthouse Digest has subscribers in all 50 United States and 17 other nations. Currently it publishes six issues a year. The editor was Tim Harrison; the Managing editor is Kathleen Finnegan-Harrison. The Doomsday List is a list of endangered lighthouses compiled by Lighthouse Digest . The list usually consists of lighthouses in the United States and Canada , but occasionally includes sites from other countries as well. Inclusion on

528-461: The bottom. The Waugoshance Light operated from 1851 until its deactivation in 1912, when it remained the property of the U.S. federal government. The encasement was similar to Big Sable Point Light , which was made from Cream City Brick , and also had to be encased in steel boilerplate to retard the deterioration. Of particular note were the efforts of Lighthouse keepers who rang bells for many days, trying to ward mariners and their vessels off

561-411: The endangered piping plover . Dominant trees include balsam fir, white spruce, white cedar, white pine, paper birch and trembling aspen. Mosses and lichens are abundant in its wetland ecosystem. Perch and small mouth bass are abundant off-shore. The point and its neighboring islands are bedrock outcrops of an extensive reef that reaches more than 6.5 mi (10.5 km) WNW from the inner end of

594-416: The foundation would cost $ 300,000. The lighthouse is closed to the public. A private boat is recommended to see this light close up. These are, however, dangerous and open water over wide expanses far from shore and interlaced by shoals , so caution is advised. The structure is filled with cormorant guano , and anyone going onto the lighthouse has to disembark, swim, and take a ladder. Thus, entrance

627-565: The list raises awareness that a lighthouse is in trouble. The list is updated bi-yearly. Russ Rowlett keeps an annotated version of the Doomsday List on the Lighthouse Directory. He has also compiled a Watch List of other lighthouses he feels should be on the Doomsday List. The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society also holds a Doomsday List of Canadian endangered lighthouses, though according to Russ Rowlett it

660-585: The mainland and the Beavers. With a depth of less than 12 feet (3.7 m) deep, it was one of the most dangerous parts of the Straits. Thereafter, a "Gray's Reef passage" became more typical because modern freighters require considerably more depth, so Waugoshance is bypassed about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the west. In 1832 the first lightvessel on the Great Lakes was placed here. That wooden lightship

693-473: The normal operating season for the light—and used a "bird cage" lantern , which makes it one of only three built on the Great Lakes. The lantern originally held the first fourth order Fresnel lens on the Great Lakes. Although the light is now gray in color, it was originally painted in four broad horizontal Red and white stripes as a Daymark . Its walls were encased in steel, and are 5½ feet thick at

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726-423: The point, with water depths of only 9 to 12 ft (2.7 to 3.7 m) at the outer end. This reef, along with others in the vicinity are exceptionally dangerous hazards for sailing vessels and small craft along the northeastern rim of Lake Michigan. Three nearby lighthouses warn mariners away from the danger that lurks just below the surface and mark the western approach to the Straits of Mackinac: Jean Nicolet

759-522: The provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000." In January 2021, the organization dedicated to the preservation of the lighthouse announced in a Facebook post that, owing to prohibitively high costs for long term preservation, the non-profit would be dissolving and that funds raised for preservation would be donated "to local organizations with similar missions." Just stabilizing

792-414: The remaining five are: Charity Island Light , Fourteen Mile Point Light , Gull Rock Light , Manitou Island Light and Poverty Island Light . The Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed in 2000. It undertook preservation and restoration. The Society's "first priority [was] ... raising funds to stabilize the building." It solicitied funds to rebuild the light, and got an extended lease from

825-411: The severe weather conditions of the area. Waugoshance is at the northern end of the long fetch of "south-wester" waves on Lake Michigan; the wave action is amplified as they build upon the shoal. The imposing crib structure was a first on the Great Lakes. The pier was reconstructed in 1870—a massive undertaking that was hampered by the ironic fact that the viable 'building season' is far shorter than even

858-496: The shoal as they groped through the smoke from the many fires — 1871 Great Chicago Fire , Peshtigo Fire , Northern Michigan including large tracts around Manistee, Michigan , Western Michigan around Holland and the fire in the Thumb near Port Huron —that took place beginning October 8, 1871, casting an impenetrable pall across Lake Michigan for the better part of a week. However, many vessels were lost. During World War II ,

891-556: The summer season. Its "westbound Lighthouse Tour"—three hours more or less—includes passes by various lights, including Waugoshance Light, White Shoal Light , Wilderness State Park , Gray's Reef Light (originally built in 1891), and St. Helena Island Light . Schedules and rates are available from Shepler's. Another alternative is to charter a seaplane to make a tour of the Mackinac Straits and environs. Waugoshance Point Waugoshance Point ( GNIS ID# 1615889 )

924-546: Was denied. The light is listed on the National Register, Reference #83000841, Name of Listing: WAUGOSHANCE LIGHT STATION (U.S. COAST GUARD/GREAT LAKES TR). It is not on the state list inventory. It is said to be both a "nautical gravestone" (because of the many wrecks in the vicinity) and on the "most endangered list" of lighthouses, being on the Lighthouse Digest " Doomsday List ." It is one of six in Michigan;

957-479: Was formed at the end of the eighth Century at Michilimackinac. French voyageurs and coureurs des bois explored and settled in this part of Michigan in the second half of the 17th century. Father Jacques Marquette established a Christian mission at Saint Ignace in 1671. These newcomers were well received by the Indian populations in the area, with relatively few difficulties or hostilities. Alexander Henry ,

990-479: Was formed by Chris West, and they bought it from the Coast Guard. They performed intermittent repairs. However, given the deterioration during 2019 and 2020, due to rising water levels, the organization has given up. The structure has been given back to the Coast Guard. While the fans have now transmuted and formed an admiration society, they asked to remove and preserve the unique 'birdcage' cap. That request

1023-480: Was present two years later when, on June 2, 1763, Ojibwe and Sauk Indians attacked and took over the fort, as part of the wider movement known as Pontiac's Rebellion . Most of the fort's British inhabitants were killed. Henry was one of the few whose life was spared. The earliest known written reference to Waugoshance Point is found in Henry's journal in his recounting of the massacre and his ordeal afterward. Much of

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1056-580: Was probably the first European explorer to pass through the Mackinac Straits area as he journeyed westward in the late summer of 1634. At that time, the region's primary inhabitants were the Odawa and Ojibwe people, who called the region Michilimackinac . They, along with the Potawatomi were part of a long-term tribal alliance called the Council of Three Fires ( Anishinaabe : Niswi-mishkodewin ), which

1089-768: Was the Lois McLain . In 1851 she was replaced by the Waugoshance Light, which stands in the area of the Wilderness State Park , and which remains one of the most hazardous areas near the Straits of Mackinac , Michigan . The last light vessel on the Great Lakes was the Lightship Huron . The lighthouse at Waugoshance was arguably the first light built in the Great Lakes that was totally surrounded by water. Both its construction and its continued maintenance were rendered extremely hazardous by

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