Hard-to-reach Crisp Point Lighthouse open for the season
Crisp Point Lighthouse, one of Michigan’s most beloved, off-the-beaten-path lights, opened for the season Sunday, May 18.
Crisp Point Lighhouse, one of about 120 lights on Michigan’s shores, is about 36 miles by road northwest of Paradise and Tahquamenon Falls on the shore of Lake Superior, east of the Two Hearted River Campground. The remote location is a favored trek for many, down narrow dirt roads that are only open during the summer.
Crisp Point Light Historical Society President Cameron Lovett said volunteers are still working on getting the lighthouse, gift shop and grounds ready for tourists.
Lovett said visitors intent on making it to the light this week should be aware of road conditions.
“Weather is cooler this weekend, with rain expected tonight so the roads may be a little muddy,” he said.
Here’s what to know if you hope to visit.
What is Crisp Point Lighthouse?
Crisp Point was one of five Lake Superior U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations along the coast between Munising and Whitefish Point. It’s located about 14.5 miles west of Whitefish Point. It was built in 1875 and became operational in 1876.
Crisp Point inherited its name from one of the Life Saving Station keepers, “an iron-willed boatman” named Christopher Crisp.
Crisp Point Lighthouse was first proposed in 1896 and every year thereafter until finally approved in June of 1902.
Originally crowned with a red fixed 360-degree fourth order light, the lighthouse tower stands 58 feet from its base to the ventilator ball of the lantern. The tower sits on a concrete foundation 10 feet deep. The Fresnel lens was made by Sautter & Lemonnier of Paris, France. When it was operational, the light produced a focal plane 58 feet above the mean low water level of the lake.
In 1939, the United States Lighthouse Service disbanded, and lighthouse administration became the United States Coast Guard’s responsibility, Tahquamenon Country’s website notes. At that time, Crisp Point had life-saving station and quarters, a two-family brick light keeper’s dwelling with a basement, brick fog signal building, oil house, two frame barns, boathouse and landing, tramway, lighthouse tower and service room entrance. The U.S. Coastguard destroyed all but the light tower and service room in 1965.
Lansing State Journal
Registration Now Open for Annual Soo Boatnerd Cruise
Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Freighter Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River!
- When: Friday, June 27, 6-9 pm, rain or shine
- Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)
- Limit: 100 passengers
- Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage
- General Adult Admission:
-Early Bird Adult $35.00 each (through May 31)
-Regular Adult $40.00 each (June 1-June 20)
-Procrastinator Adult $45 each (after June 20)
- Youth Admission, age 5-17: $15 flat rate
- Youth Admission, age 4 and under: FREE
- Students (age 18+) with a current, valid i.d. get a $5 discount off an adult ticket. The student must present their student i.d. when boarding.
This year’s St. Mary’s River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 27. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters.
Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (you cannot bring alcohol).
Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Mailed checks must be received no later than Friday, June 20.
If the cruise is not sold out by June 20, we will take online or cash (US funds only) reservations at the Procrastinator Price of $45.00 per General Admission ticket. Youth ticket rates stay the same as listed above.
Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or to request any refunds. No refunds will be issued after June 19.
