Crisp Point Light: from Doomed to Resumed

Lighthouses fascinate me … the mystery, the romance, the remoteness.  A trip to Michigan's Crisp Point Light is definitely “off the beaten path” but worth the little extra effort it takes to get there.

Starting in 1904, the Crisp Point Light was one of several navigational lights along Lake Superior’s notorious “shipwreck coast”. Eventually, the lighthouse fell victim to neglect and erosion. Deactivated in 1992, it was placed on the lighthouse “Doomsday List”. Thanks to Luce County and the Crisp Point Lighthouse Historical Society, the lighthouse has been saved.  Since 2012, a new light in the tower serves as an a private aid to navigation taking Crisp Point Light from doomed to resumed status.

During a July 4^th weekend trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we take the trek to Crisp Point. This will be our third visit.   I’m not sure if I should count our second visit because the black flies along the lakeshore were so bad we couldn’t get out of the car.  So, w waved good-bye to Crisp Point without seeing the light tower or walking the beach.

Tower Shadows

In 2018, we were in the Tahquamenon Falls area.  The road to Crisp Point begins in this vicinity.  So, we decide to take a side trip and make another attempt to see it.

The unpaved seasonal roads (CR 500 and CR 412) are just as bumpy and dusty as I remembered it. Fortunately, there are signs along the road directing us to the lighthouse.  It takes us about an hour to drive 19 miles to the parking lot to see this light tower on Lake Superior.

CR 412

The first time we came here, the white tower and set of steps to a non-existent entrance building were the only things to see.    

1990's

Today, the white tower has been restored and stabilized and the small entrance building has been rebuilt.

2018

The first thing we do is check out the new Visitor Center which includes a small gift shop/museum. The Visitor Center and Lighthouse are open during the summer months. However, weather or volunteer availability may affect the scheduled days and times. I recommend making a phone call before driving here. A link for contact information is available at the end of this post.  

 Visitor Center

Museum

The restrooms are located near the Visitor Center.

After we browse around the gift shop, we go to the nearby light tower. Stretches of boardwalk help to make getting around the sandy beach easier.   

There are a number of Michigan lighthouses where visitors can climb the tower stairs. (some charge fees). Here at Crisp Point, it’s free to climb the stairs up the 58-foot high conical-shaped tower.

We enter the small brick building that provides access to the tower’s 63 metal steps.  

 Spiral Stairs

 Window View of Lake Superior

Top of the Stairs

The spiral staircase leads to the lantern room where a fourth order Fresnel lens once guided mariners. Currently, a 300mm LED marine light serves as a seasonal private aid to navigation.   

Current Lens

We crawl through the low doorway leading to the widow’s walk outside the lantern room.

Door to Widow's Walk

The widow’s walk offers an 180 degree view of Lake Superior.  From this higher elevation, the gentle breezes off Lake Superior are cool and refreshing on this warm July day. 

 Tower View of Lake Superior

An added bonus (and a pleasant surprise) for us – very few black flies or other insects are bugging us today! We take advantage of this situation and walk along the beach. A number of people are looking for the coveted agate stones that lucky rock hounds sometimes find along the sandy shore.

Crisp Point is located on Lake Superior about 37 miles north of the town of Newberry (75 minute drive) or 37.5 miles from Paradise (75 minute drive).    

The small town of Paradise does offer a few options for food and lodging. On this trip, we used the town of Newberry as our base-camp. Newberry has a few national-chain hotels, a Bed & Breakfast in an historic house, as well as local restaurants and a few fast-food places. Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.

Due to Crisp Point’s lack of services, I recommend bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying the scenery and quiet beauty of this remote location.

If you are interested in other nearby lighthouses, I invite you to view a few of my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Whitefish Point - Light, Lodging & Lake Superior

Climb the Tower - Point Iroquois Light

Lighthouse B&B's

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your trip to Michigan’s Crisp Point Light, please click on the following link:

Crisp Point Light Historical Society Website

Climb the Tower - Point Iroquois Light

Aaah, the history and mystery of lighthouses seem to beckon us to stop whenever we are near one.  Point Iroquois Light in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the one we are revisiting today.  

Point Iroquois Light

Miniature Replica of Point Iroquois Light near Brimley, Michigan

BACKGROUND:  Point Iroquois was named for the Iroquois warriors massacred there by the Ojibwe in 1662.  By 1856, the first Pt Iroquois Light was lit to guide ships safely between Whitefish Bay and the St. Mary's River.  Its wood and rubble-stone tower was 45 feet high.  However, the structure was not constructed well.  In 1870, the first light station was demolished and the current light station was built.  The new 65’ brick tower had a fourth order Fresnel (the “ess” is silent) lens.   In 1963 its light was deactivated and the light station was left unoccupied for years.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 30, 1975. 

It took several years to complete the renovation but it was accomplished through the co-operative efforts between the Bay Mills/Brimley Historical Society and the Forest Service (Hiawatha National Forest). In an effort to interpret local history, they furnished the assistant keeper’s quarters to show how it might have looked in the 1950’s.    

Assistant Keeper's Quarters - Living Room

Assistant Keeper's Quarters - Kitchen

Inside the two-story house is a gift shop offering lighthouse-themed items and books.  We wander through several rooms with a variety of informational displays regarding keeper’s duties, Fresnel lenses, and nautical history. 

Gift Shop

Fresnel Lens Display

The attached white brick tower has a spiral stairway consisting of 72 steps to the top of the tower.  Michigan has over 100 lighthouses but only about 20 will allow you to climb the tower.

Tower Rules

Doorway to Tower Stairs

Tower Stairs

Hatch at Top of Tower

From the top of the tower, we have a panoramic view of Lake Superior, the coastline of Whitefish Bay, and any freighters that may be passing by the point.  One thing you should know - the lantern room is small and the glass-enclosed space gets very warm especially on a sunny summer's day.

View from Lantern Room/Top of Tower

Before we leave the lighthouse grounds, we take a short walk (.2 mile) on the interpretive boardwalk trail that leads to the beach along Lake Superior.  Some people are searching for rocks along the shore.   In my youth, I was a “rock hound” too.  Once in awhile I’ll search the shores for these souvenirs but not today … maybe on our next visit. 

Boardwalk Trail

Trail to Lake Superior Beach

LOCATION & CONTACT INFORMATION:  The lighthouse is located about 20 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula  (USA) - from the intersection of M-28 and I-75 drive 7.5 miles west on M-28 to M-221/ Brimley. Turn right (north) and drive 2.5 miles on M-221 to Lake Shore Drive (FR 42). Turn left (west) on Lake Shore Drive and drive 6.5 miles to the lighthouse.   

Telephone:   (906) 437-5272

HOURS OPEN:  The museum, gift shop, and tower are open every day from May 15 - October 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  There isn’t a fee to tour the building or climb the tower; however, donations are always appreciated.  There are restrooms and picnic tables on the grounds. 

The town of Brimley (population in 2010 was 1,337) is about 8 miles from the lighthouse.  It is a small town offering a few lodging and dining options. 

Sault Ste. Marie (population 14,098 in 2013) is about 20 miles from the lighthouse.  The “Soo” has a large variety of restaurants and lodging options ranging from large national chain establishments to cozy B&B’s.

Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews for eating and sleeping options.

If you are interested in other nearby lighthouses, I invite you to view my blog posts by clicking on the following links:
Crisp Point Light: from Doomed to Resumed
Whitefish Point - Light, Lodging & Lake Superior

If you are staying in Sault Ste. Marie, I invite you to view my blog posts on the Soo Locks and historical landmarks by clicking on the following links:
A Look at the Locks
Historic Sites at the "Soo"