Old Mission Point Lighthouse

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse was built in 1870 as an exact copy of the Mama Juda Light, which was constructed on the Detroit River in 1866.

History

The lighthouse served to warn mariners about the shoals off the point for 63 years, until it was decommissioned in 1933.
The lighthouse was deactivated in 1933 and purchased by the State of Michigan.

Architecture

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse is a square tower attached to a dwelling, with a natural foundation and a wooden structure painted white with black trim.

A fixed white Fifth Order Fresnel lens was installed, which created a lens focal plane of 47 feet (14 m) due to its placement on a sand bank 14 feet above the lake's surface.

The building is only one and a half stories tall.

Light Characteristics

The lighthouse features a stationary buoy light in 19 feet (5.8 m) of water, about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Mission Point.
The light runs on batteries and has a focal plane of 52 feet (16 m), making it visible for 13 miles (21 km).

Current Status

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse is no longer an active aid to navigation, but it remains maintained by the Coast Guard.

A pair of signs denote its location on the parallel, one of 29 places in the U.S. with such signs.

Location

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse is located at the end of Old Mission Point, a peninsula jutting into Grand Traverse Bay 17 miles (27 km) north of Traverse City, Michigan.

The lighthouse stands a few hundred yards south of the 45th parallel north, halfway between the North Pole and the Equator.

Accessibility

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse is accessible by car or on foot, with parking available nearby.

Visitors can view the lighthouse from a distance, but access to the tower itself may be restricted due to erosion concerns.

Heritage Status

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse has been recognized for its historical significance, standing as one of 29 places in the U.S. with signs denoting its location on the parallel.

The lighthouse is believed to have played an important role in maritime navigation during its operational years.

Notable Historical Events

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse was famously deactivated in 1933 and purchased by the State of Michigan, marking a significant shift in its history.
The lighthouse's unique placement on a sand bank created a distinctive lens focal plane that made it visible for an extended range.