1 Fall Colors - Day
Iron Mountain to Mackinaw City
The Peninsula Point Lighthouse, located at the southern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Escanaba, was constructed in 1865 to guide ships navigating the northern waters of Lake Michigan. The lighthouse was built in response to the growing shipping traffic from the booming timber and iron ore industries, which were central to the region's economy. Peninsula Point’s location at the entrance to Little Bay de Noc made it a crucial navigational aid for vessels traveling to and from Escanaba and other nearby ports. The lighthouse featured a modest 40-foot tower, constructed from local limestone, and was topped with a Fifth Order Fresnel lens that helped ships safely navigate the often treacherous waters.
The lighthouse was manned by keepers until 1936, when its use diminished due to advancements in navigation technology, and it was eventually decommissioned. Although a fire in 1959 destroyed the keeper’s house, the lighthouse tower itself survived and remains a popular historical site. Today, the Peninsula Point Lighthouse is part of the Hiawatha National Forest, offering visitors the opportunity to climb the tower for panoramic views of Lake Michigan and to explore the surrounding trails. The lighthouse also plays a role in the migration of monarch butterflies, attracting nature enthusiasts each fall who come to witness the butterflies as they gather near the point before continuing their journey southward.
Iron Mountain to Mackinaw City
The Peninsula Point Lighthouse, located at the southern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Escanaba, was constructed in 1865 to guide ships navigating the northern waters of Lake Michigan. The lighthouse was built in response to the growing shipping traffic from the booming timber and iron ore industries, which were central to the region's economy. Peninsula Point’s location at the entrance to Little Bay de Noc made it a crucial navigational aid for vessels traveling to and from Escanaba and other nearby ports. The lighthouse featured a modest 40-foot tower, constructed from local limestone, and was topped with a Fifth Order Fresnel lens that helped ships safely navigate the often treacherous waters.
The lighthouse was manned by keepers until 1936, when its use diminished due to advancements in navigation technology, and it was eventually decommissioned. Although a fire in 1959 destroyed the keeper’s house, the lighthouse tower itself survived and remains a popular historical site. Today, the Peninsula Point Lighthouse is part of the Hiawatha National Forest, offering visitors the opportunity to climb the tower for panoramic views of Lake Michigan and to explore the surrounding trails. The lighthouse also plays a role in the migration of monarch butterflies, attracting nature enthusiasts each fall who come to witness the butterflies as they gather near the point before continuing their journey southward.
Peninsula Point Lighthouse