Big Bay Point
Located in Big Bay, MI about 23 miles NW of Marquette (1896)
When built in 1896, the Big Bay Lighthouse was fitted with a 3rd-order Fresnel lens. Partially screened rotating panels were installed, creating "a brilliant white flash every twenty seconds”. This light was automated in 1944 with the original lens on display at the Marquette Maritime Museum. Twice a year the Coast Guard visits Big Bay Lighthouse to perform maintenance on the light. Access to the lantern room is available to guests of the inn and provides a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
The Big Bay Lighthouse is located on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan approximately 24 miles northwest of Marquette. The Big Bay Lighthouse was built in 1896 to provide a navigation light for ships sailing between the Granite Island Light Station to the east and Huron Island Lighthouse to the west. The 30 plus miles between these two navigational aids is treacherous waters - several ships had been lost on Big Bay Point. A light and fog signal midway between these lights would provide protection for ships sailing between these points.
The lighthouse was built as a two-story brick duplex dwelling. From the dwelling a square brick light tower rose 65 feet placing the lantern 105 feet above Lake Superior. The light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 11/12/88.
In 1961 the lighthouse was sold as a private residence. It passed into disrepair, was restored and after passing through several private hands became a bed and breakfast in 1986. Still an active lighthouse, Big Bay Lighthouse is the only active lighthouse that you can stay at.
The Lumberjack Tavern in the town of Big Bay is the location of the 1952 murder that is the subject of Anatomy of a Murder novel and film. On the floor is the outline of where the victim’s body was found. The barkeep will provide you with a scrapbook of newspaper articles about the murder and the making of the movie, most of which was filmed in nearby Marquette. All guests of the inn find time to watch the movie in the inn’s sitting room.
Location: On a tall bluff over- looking Lake Superior near Big Bay, Michigan
Type: Octagonal lantern atop a square tower made of brick and reinforced concrete
Read MoreWhen built in 1896, the Big Bay Lighthouse was fitted with a 3rd-order Fresnel lens. Partially screened rotating panels were installed, creating "a brilliant white flash every twenty seconds”. This light was automated in 1944 with the original lens on display at the Marquette Maritime Museum. Twice a year the Coast Guard visits Big Bay Lighthouse to perform maintenance on the light. Access to the lantern room is available to guests of the inn and provides a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
The Big Bay Lighthouse is located on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan approximately 24 miles northwest of Marquette. The Big Bay Lighthouse was built in 1896 to provide a navigation light for ships sailing between the Granite Island Light Station to the east and Huron Island Lighthouse to the west. The 30 plus miles between these two navigational aids is treacherous waters - several ships had been lost on Big Bay Point. A light and fog signal midway between these lights would provide protection for ships sailing between these points.
The lighthouse was built as a two-story brick duplex dwelling. From the dwelling a square brick light tower rose 65 feet placing the lantern 105 feet above Lake Superior. The light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 11/12/88.
In 1961 the lighthouse was sold as a private residence. It passed into disrepair, was restored and after passing through several private hands became a bed and breakfast in 1986. Still an active lighthouse, Big Bay Lighthouse is the only active lighthouse that you can stay at.
The Lumberjack Tavern in the town of Big Bay is the location of the 1952 murder that is the subject of Anatomy of a Murder novel and film. On the floor is the outline of where the victim’s body was found. The barkeep will provide you with a scrapbook of newspaper articles about the murder and the making of the movie, most of which was filmed in nearby Marquette. All guests of the inn find time to watch the movie in the inn’s sitting room.
Location: On a tall bluff over- looking Lake Superior near Big Bay, Michigan
Type: Octagonal lantern atop a square tower made of brick and reinforced concrete
