Are you interested in lighthouses on the Great Lakes? What about in CHARLEVOIX, MICHIGAN? I am fascinated by these historic structures. Their stories helped shape water transportation and vessel safety throughout Michigan. CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE is one such intriguing lighthouse!

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“The dip of the light meant that the island itself was always left in darkness. A lighthouse is for others; powerless to illuminate the space closest to it.”

– M.L. STEADMAN

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MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE SERIES – EXPLORE CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

Government’s involvement in safe navigation began early in American history. The first lighthouse was established on the east coast in 1716 at Little Brewster Island at the entrance to Boston Harbor. 73 years later there were a dozen active beacons in place.

On the Great Lakes, the first lighthouses were established around 1815 at Fort Niagara on Lake Ontario and the Presque Isle light on Lake Erie. Many followed suit in the years to follow!

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As commerce boomed on the Great Lakes, the number of lighthouses commensurately increased. By 1865, there were approximately seven on Lake Ontario, perhaps twelve on Lake Huron, approximately twenty-six on Lake Michigan and nearly fifteen on Lake Superior. Each new lighthouse was a step towards more safety. They warned sailors of dangerous shores and reefs and assisted navigation by guiding them to the safety of a harbor.

Here is a link to other BREAKWALL and LIGHTHOUSE blog posts in Northern Michigan.

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“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”

– ANNE LAMOTT

MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE SERIES – EXPLORE CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

HISTORY OF CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

The Charlevoix lighthouse is one of these structures that was added to the safety arsenal of the Great Lakes. CLICK HERE FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY. The first built lighthouse was located on the north pier in 1881. It was placed there to safely guide vessels into the then newly formed Pine River Channel that would lead boats into Round Lake where Charlevoix’s current docking marina is located.

Round Lake feeds into Lake Charlevoix. A South Arm of Lake Charlevoix can lead vessels to East Jordan, Michigan, whereas, the North Arm leads vessels to Boyne City, MI (where another lighthouse I plan to feature is located.) Each of these communities thrive on tourism due to the bounty of its beautiful Caribbean-blue freshwater lakes. They draw many visitors annually. Many transient boaters look for dockage for a night (much like campers travel in search of campgrounds) except the mode of travel is a boat with a cabin. The Great Lakes and the inlets to other lakes offers a vast selection of exploration opportunities.

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“I am lighthouse rather than lifeboat. I do not rescue, but instead help others to find their own way to shore, guiding them by my example.”

– UNKNOWN

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MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE SERIES – EXPLORE CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS

Do lighthouse keepers still exists? What a fascinating history these people provide! Each story from each lighthouse location has intrigue and wonder. I encourage you to listen to a story keeper’s recount of a historical lighthouse near you! Each story is filled with what these keepers witnessed and provided to vessels on the lakes. It is such a rich history!

The last lighthouse keeper remained in Charlevoix, MI until 1940. Today the lighthouse is owned by the City of Charlevoix. It is maintained by the Charlevoix Historical Society. The United States Coast Guard is responsible for the operation of the light.

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 “Lighthouses are not just stone, brick, metal, and glass. There’s a human story at every Lighthouse; that’s the story I want to tell.”

– Elinor Dewire

MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE SERIES – EXPLORE CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

WANDERING CHARLEVOIX

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“Charlevoix the beautiful” embeds itself into the fiber of your being just through immersing yourself in its quaintness. Yes, it is worth a visit to wander around the retail downtown shops for a souvenir, ice cream cone, and fudge purchase. This one stoplight town in the downtown district draws crowds on the hour and half-hour with it’s 223 foot long double bascule draw bridge opening and closing to allow boating traffic to the marina beyond Lake Michigan or access to Lake Charlevoix.

This is my home town. I grew up with this as my slice of “normal.” It was not until I moved away that I realized what was left behind. According to the latest census. Charlevoix has a population of 2,470 residents that live there all year long. The population in the summer is vastly different as many summer homes sit vacant during the long, cold winters of Northern Michigan unless the residents return for a ski weekend. Many second homes are located in Charlevoix County.

Tourism is a blessing and a curse. Without tourism this area would suffer dramatically in it’s commerce. However, the 45 minutes to an hour additional daily commute in July to get from one side of town across the bridge to the other side can wear a “local” down, understandably.

Watch the video below for a 365 degree view while standing on the sidewalk to the lighthouse. It is truly a beautiful place to spend time!

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Charlevoix boasts world class restaurants, views, and accommodations for travelers to enjoy. It is not uncommon to see famous celebrities dining locally with their families enjoying this hidden gem of a town.

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“Lighthouses are not just stone, brick, metal, and glass. There’s a human story at every lighthouse; that’s the story I want to tell.”

– ELINOR DEWIRE

MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE SERIES – EXPLORE CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

ADVENTURES OF THE LAKES

The Pine River Channel has always fearfully fascinated me. As a child I would hear of teens being dared to jump off the drawbridge into the channel. Warning stories from adults always echoed in my head about the unique phenomenon of the Pine River channel. I was told that it was one of the only rivers in the entire world that had a two-way current.

There are unpredictable currents, many boats, and crisscrossing wave actions that can make this exciting idea perilous! Proceed with caution! Sometimes what sounds like a great idea is anything but a good idea! Use wisdom in all decisions!

“After severe westerly windstorms, waters pushed high into Lake Charlevoix will swiftly flow back out to meet other inbound currents. Small whirlpools and eddies at the harbor mouth are not uncommon, and whitecaps can frequently be observed within the channel on the calmest days.” ~Terry Pepper

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What does a lighthouse do? I ask myself. It never moves. It cannot hike up its rocky skirt and dash into the ocean to rescue the foundering ship. It cannot calm the waters or clear the shoals. It can only cast light into the darkness. It can only point the way. Yet, through one lighthouse, you guide many ships. Show this old lighthouse the way.

– LISA WINGATE

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MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE SERIES – EXPLORE CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

OTHER ADVENTURES NEAR CHARLEVOIX’S LIGHTHOUSE

“Don’t forget that maybe you are the lighthouse in someone’s storm.”

– UNKNOWN

How about capturing a sunrise, early morning, with the promise of a new day prepared before you? What about a sunset shimmering on the sparkling crystal clear waters of Lake Michigan? Beaches of the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan are pristine, sparkling Caribbean-blue freshwater gems. What a treasure to enjoy! What a gift from God!

God’s inspiration can be found by simply looking around and observing all of His blessings abounding, especially here in this tranquil, beautiful location.

However you find God’s inspiration each day, allow it to serve as a reminder that He is in control. Trust in Him, fear not, and replace any doubts you have in Him with prayer, asking Him to teach you to trust more and more each day. The God that created the heavens and the earth and the lakes and the sun will watch over, protect, and guide you each day if you only ask for Him to be a part of your life. Grow in your faith and trust in Him. He awaits you. He is willing to walk beside you through all of your life adventures…even exploring breakwaters and lighthouses!

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We hope this has inspired you to discover new adventures while exploring break-walls and lighthouses as we have discovered. I am interested if you have favorite lighthouse that you have explored or snorkel locations to share. Please leave a comment below to recommend an adventure exploring ruins or a snorkel adventure that you’d like for us to try out on our next Inspirational Travel Adventure!! I am so excited to hear from you!

Did you notice some affiliate links along the way?? If you plan to buy any of the products we mentioned or search for other purchases, please consider clicking through our link on this page. It won’t cost you a dime, and it will help our website continue running and offering you further inspirational travel adventures!

Inspirationally Yours,

Barbara

BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/

ABOUT ME:

A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.

WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com

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