145 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 111 lighthouses, with 34 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. Portage Lake North Pierhead
14. Saugatuck (Kalamazoo River) Pierhead Lights
15. New Buffalo Lighthouse
16. St. Martin Island Lighthouse
17. Poverty Island Light

 

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