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McGulpin Point, MI |
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Description:
McGulpin Point Lighthouse (listed as McGulpin's Point in early Lighthouse Board records) went into service in 1869, marking the southwestern
side of the entrance to the Straits of
Mackinac. In 1892, a lighthouse was built
on Mackinac Point, just two miles east of
McGulpin Point. Mackinac Point Lighthouse was located on the most northerly point of Michigan's lower peninsula and could
be seen by vessels entering the Straits of Mackinac from both the west and east. McGulpin Point Lighthouse thus became redundant and was retired in 1906 after just thirty-seven years of service.
In 2005, McGulpin Point Lighthouse and the adjoining 11.5 acres were placed on the market for $1.75 million by the Peppler family. By early 2008, the price had been reduced to $974,900, and later that year, the Emmet County Commissioners voted to purchase the property for $710,000. In April of 2009, the commissioners approved $103,000 for the purchase of a pair of lots adjacent to the lighthouse that they hope can be used for parking or a museum to complement the lighthouse. The expenditure of $25,000 for plaques, signs, installation of a flagpole and promotional materials in preparation for the May 30th rededication of the lighthouse was also approved at the same meeting. A replica lantern room, fabricated by Moran Iron Works in Onaway, was placed atop the lighthouse on April 23, 2009. Roughly 1,200 attended the festivities commemorating the relighting of the lighthouse held on May 30, 2009. After an invocation by Frank Ettawageshik, tribal chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and a stirring performance by four Native American drummers, the light at the top of the tower was turned on by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and James Tamlyn, chair of the Emmet County Board of Commissioners. In preparation for the 2012 season, the gift shop was expanded and the parking lot was paved. An OnCell mobile phone tour has been established at the lighthouse, allowing visitors to learn about the lighthouse and the area's culture.
Location:
Located just over two miles west of the Mackinac Point Lighthouse.
The lighthouse is owned by Emmet County. Grounds/dwelling/tower open. |
