Fort Gratiot Lighthouse – Port Huron

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse – Port Huron, Michigan

This lighthouse is the oldest in Michigan still operating with its green flashing light (automated in 1933) which can be seen for seventeen miles!  It helps to keep watch over Lake Huron at the entrance to the St. Clair River.

The original lighthouse was built in 1825 at a height of 74 feet.  The first lighthouse, built in 1825, was poorly constructed and toppled over during a storm in 1828.  The second lighthouse was built in 1829 of much better construction techniques and materials. The white painted brick tower was extended to its present height of 86 ft. in the early 1860′s.

The two-story brick light keeper’s house was built with a hipped gable rood and pointed gothic porch in 1874-75.
This is one of the busiest waterways in the world and the Coast Guardsman are stationed their to keep things in good order.

Tours

Public tours of the Lighthouse are offered:
11:00 am through 5:00 pm, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For group tours of 20 or more people, please schedule with Sheila @ (810) 455-0214 extension 119. The last tour begins at 4:30 pm as the property closes at 5:00 pm to the public.
While the site remains open, the United States Coast Guard has decided that for the safety of the visitors, no one will be allowed to climb the tower. Tours of the site are still available Friday through Monday, 11 am – 5 pm.

There are no public restrooms available at the lighthouse or park so you would need to use those available at the public beach next door.

Location: 2800 Omar St., Port Huron, MI 48060

Phone: 810-982-0891

Email: info@phmuseum.org

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