141 Michigan lighthouses

… and it’s my dream to see all of them.

 

Since I was 24 years old, I’ve been on a mission to see every lighthouse in Michigan. What started as a “cute backdrop for an outfit photo” quickly became something much more meaningful. Each lighthouse carried a story – of where I was at in life, and how I was growing. Over time, this journey has brought me hope, perspective, and something steady to hold onto through stormy seasons of heartache, joy, solitude, and change.

There’s something special about lighthouses that goes beyond their purpose. They’re symbols of guidance, resilience, and homecoming. They stand for integrity and reliability – values I hold close. And while it’s easy to romanticize the quiet life of a lighthouse keeper, it was often isolating, marked by long stretches of loneliness and harsh conditions. Still, most took pride in their independence, rarely asking for help from the mainland. I relate to that – probably more than I’d like to admit.

Now at 38, I’ve visited 109 lighthouses, with 33 to go. I could’ve rushed to check them off the list, but I’ve chosen to take my time – one lighthouse at a time. These beacons have often appeared when I’ve needed them most. And as I approach the final few, I’m not just seeking out lighthouses – I’m seeking out the version of myself that feels most at home. Maybe, by the end, I’ll have found both.

 

LIGHTHOUSES I’VE SEEN

LIGHTHOUSES I HAVEN’T SEEN YET

 

1. Detroit River Light
2. Grosse Ile North Channel Front
3. Mariners Memorial Light (River Rouge Lighthouse)
4. Lake St. Clair Lighthouse
5. Lake St. Clair Old South Channel Rear Light
6. Lake St. Clair Flats Front Range Light
7. St. Clair Flats Canal Range
8. Peche Island Rear Range Light
9. Lightship Huron
10. Gravelly Shoal Light
11. Martin Reef Lighthouse
12. Skillagalee (Ile Aux Galets) Light
13. South Fox Island Light
14. Little Traverse (Harbor Point) Light
15. Portage Lake North Pierhead
16. Saugatuck (Kalamazoo River) Pierhead Lights
17. New Buffalo Lighthouse

 

18. St. Martin Island Lighthouse
19. Poverty Island Light
20. DeTour Reef Light
21. Pipe Island Light
22. Middle Neebish Range Light (Winter Point Range Front Light)
23. Middle Neebish Light
24. Round Island (St. Marys River) Light
25. Sand Hills Lighthouse
26. Fourteen Mile Point Light
27. Rock of Ages Light
28. Isle Royale (Menagerie Island) Light
29. Rock Harbor Light
30. Passage Island Light
31. Minneapolis Shoal Light
32. Luna Pier Lighthouse
33. Boyne City Lighthouse