144 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 39, I’ve visited 112 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. Gravelly Shoal Light
9. Martin Reef Lighthouse
10. Skillagalee (Ile Aux Galets) Light
11. South Fox Island Light
12. Little Traverse (Harbor Point) Light
13. Saugatuck (Kalamazoo River) Pierhead Lights
14. New Buffalo Lighthouse
15. St. Martin Island Lighthouse

 

16. Poverty Island Light
17. DeTour Reef Light
18. Middle Neebish Range Light (Winter Point Range Front Light)
19. Middle Neebish Light
20. Sand Hills Lighthouse
21. Fourteen Mile Point Light
22. Rock of Ages Light
23. Isle Royale (Menagerie Island) Light
24. Rock Harbor Light
25. Passage Island Light
26. Minneapolis Shoal Light
27. Luna Pier Lighthouse
28. Alden Lighthouse
29. Scidmore Park Lighthouse
30. Palmer Park Lighthouse