Name and Location

The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse, also known locally as the Belle Isle Lighthouse, stands on the eastern shore of Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Its official address is Driker Trail, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, MI 48207.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed between 1927-1928 to honor William Livingstone Jr., a shipping magnate. It was commissioned by Mary Livingstone at a cost of approximately US $70,000 (1928 dollars) and designed by architect Albert Kahn in the Neoclassical/Pavilion style with Art Deco touches.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is made of carved white marble from Vermont and features a granite base. It stands 80 ft tall and originally had a focal plane approximately 75 ft above water level. The tower was designed to resemble a Greek temple or classical garden folly, according to local lore.

Light and Navigation

Although intended as a memorial "light", the lighthouse never housed live-in keepers. Instead, it was fully automated with no on-site keeper's quarters. Its original purpose was to honor William Livingstone, with a secondary role as a river aid. The light characteristic was flashing white, believed to have been approximately 10-12 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds are open daily, but the interior is closed to the public (no guided tours inside). Visitors can reach the lighthouse by car or bike via Mack Avenue onto Belle Isle Bridge; parking is available near the Belle Isle Casino and following Driker Trail east. Benches and a small picnic area are located at the base of the tower.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse overlooks the Detroit River and Canada's Windsor skyline, offering panoramic views of passing freighters, river traffic, and the Detroit waterfront at sunrise and sunset. The surrounding landscape is a mix of woodland and manicured lawn, with adjacent walking/biking trails.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local lore suggests that the tower was meant to resemble a Greek temple or classical garden folly. The lighthouse has been the subject of mild vandalism in the 1970s, leading to deactivation, but it was subsequently restored by the Belle Isle Conservancy.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was briefly listed as a private "light_major" seamark by the Coast Guard, decommissioned circa 1978, and no longer serves a navigational purpose. The lens and lantern have been removed, and the tower is dark at night.

Further Information