Michigan’s Legendary Lighthouse Keepers
Schedule
Tue, 28 Apr, 2026 at 05:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Houghton Lake Public Library | Houghton Lake, MI
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Hundreds of men and women – including a handful of families, spanning multiple generations – have dedicated their lives to protecting the Great Lakes shoreline around Michigan as lighthouse keepers. Since the first light was erected in 1825 (at Fort Gratiot in Port Huron) until modern times, these diligent civil servants climbed countless steps up winding spiral staircases toting pails of hot oil, polished the thick crystal-like glass of the Fresnel lens and aided in rescue attempts in often dangerous waters, while also enjoying some of the best sunrises and sunsets (along with storms rolling in off the lake). For these long hours and seasons, keepers were paid a paltry salary ($350-$600 a year on average) and some even lost their lives to a watery grave. This program delves into the lives of these heroic keepers and the histories of the beacons where they served.
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Where is it happening?
Houghton Lake Public Library, 4431 W Houghton Lake Dr,Houghton Lake,MI,United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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