The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse 

The copper mining industry began on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the 1840s. Lake Superior’s unreliable disposition meant that passing ships needed navigational assistance, and in 1851 the original lighthouse was built. The wooden tower which supported a fourth-order Fresnel lens illuminated by an oil lamp soon deteriorated, and in 1871 it was replaced by the present red brick structure. In 1895 a fog signal was added.

In the 1960s, the Fresnel lens was replaced by aviation beacon-type white and red lights, which beam their warning to ships more than 20 miles offshore. After being tended by 22 keepers since 1851, the lighthouse became automated in 1980 and the last personnel left in 1982.

(Photo: A Fourth Order Fresnel Lens, similar to the one originally installed in the tower, is on display in the lighthouse.)

Since 1982 the Keweenaw County Historical Society has maintained four museums at the light station. Besides the lighthouse, they include a Maritime Museum in the old fog signal building, a Keweenaw History Museum located in the old U. S. Coast Guard Station garage, and Commercial Fishing Museum located in one of the assistant keepers' buildings.

(Photo: The current Marine Rotating Beacons equipped with a 12 volt/75 watt lamp/bulb at the top of the tower lacks the romance of the Fresnel lens but is much more efficient.)

In 1999, Congress transferred ownership of the Eagle Harbor Light Station to the Keweenaw County Historical Society. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate the light at the top of the tower as an active navigational aid, and as such, the top of the tower is not open to visitors.

(Photo: The lighthouse living quarters bring visitors back to the 1930s, including the kitchen shown here prior to electricity coming to Eagle Harbor. Photo by John Deal)

Visiting The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Museum

Parking- Please NOTE that the parking lot is small and there is one-way traffic going in and out of the grounds.  Large RVs/campers have GREAT difficulty turning around.

2025 Season- June 15th through October 12th
Hours-

• June - Noon to 5 PM
• July - 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun
• August - 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun
• September - Noon to 5 PM
• October - Noon to 5 PM

Location-
The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Complex is located at 670 Lighthouse Road, not far from the swimming beach along M26 in Eagle Harbor. GPS: N 47 27.582 W 88 09.558, Decimal Degrees: 47.459705, -88.159300

Related Links-

• Visit Keweenaw's Virtual Lighthouse Tour
• Terry Pepper’s lighthouse website
• Keweenaw Geoheritage
  
• Exploring the North

Another exciting season starts-
Our volunteers have been hard at work and are looking forward to sharing our history with you.

SITE SCHEDULES

A Call For Volunteers
KCHS is 100% volunteer driven and our volunteers are profoundly motivated. Do you have some free time to help us in our mission to preserve and share history? Please check out our VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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New Virtual Lighthouse Tour
As one of the Keweenaw's many treasures, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse was chosen as one of the online virtual tours provided by Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Visit Keweenaw.

This tour includes an exclusive view of the lantern room (closed to the public) and a view only experienced by lightkeepers.

EAGLE HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE VIRTUAL TOUR

And don't miss the tours of other area landmarks.

SEE ALL EVENTS