Name and Location

The Breakwater Light is located in Marquette, Michigan, USA, situated at the Presque Isle Harbor of Lake Superior.

Construction and History

The Breakwater Light was built in 1941 as an essential aid to navigation for mariners traversing Lake Superior's Presque Isle Harbor. It has been an automated aid to navigation since its construction.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands at a height of approximately 17 meters (56 feet) with a focal plane elevation of around 23 meters (75 feet). The cylindrical tower is painted white with a distinctive red band on the octagonal building, making it easily visible to mariners. The foundation was constructed from concrete, while the structure itself is primarily made of steel and wood.

Light and Navigation

The Breakwater Light marks the entrance to the Presque Isle Harbor as part of the U.S. Coast Guard's breakwater system. Its fog signal operates on VHF-FM Channel 83A, emitting five blasts every 30 seconds. The lighthouse also features a horn fog signal with a range of approximately 11 nautical miles (20 kilometers).

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can reach the Breakwater Light via Unnamed Road in Marquette, Michigan. The lighthouse is not open to the public for guided tours or self-guided visits, but individuals may stop by to take photos.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Breakwater Light overlooks the Presque Isle Harbor, a scenic waterway that offers stunning views of Lake Superior. Situated in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.

Technical and Operational Details

Originally designed to guide vessels into the Presque Isle Harbor, the Breakwater Light has been an automated aid to navigation since its construction in 1941. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 2016 for its importance in maritime history.

Further Information

For further information on the Breakwater Light's history, architecture, or operational details, please consult the following sources: U.S. Coast Guard, Light List vol. VII, Great Lakes, COMDTPUB P16502.7 (2024), National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) website, and Lighthouse Friends website.