Little Sable Point Light Station, near Mears, Michigan
Posted by: 
KG1960
N 43° 39.078 W 086° 32.364
16T E 537143 N 4833247
A lighthouse built in 1874 that still operates on the shore of Lake Michigan near Mears, MI.
Waymark Code: WM1109
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 12/09/2006
Views: 14
This lighthouse is on the shore of Lake Michigan at Little Sable Point near Mears, MI. It is one of the tallest lighthouses on Lake Michigan. It still operates and is now unmanned and automated and is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.
After a ship or two went aground at this point, the need for a lighthouse became apparent. Completed in the Spring of 1874, the 107-foot tall round red brick tower is topped a brick watch room surrounded by a cast iron walkway supported by cast iron supports. The tower is the typical Poe-style with four arched windows under the gallery. The lantern room is 10-sided and topped by a copper roof.
The lantern room contains a Third-Order Fresnel lens, manufactured by Sautter & Co. of Paris. The lower portion consists of 8 fixed panels, the upper portion 10 rotating panels.
The keeper's dwelling was demolished by Coast Guard in 1954 when electric power reached this site and the light was automated. Evidence of the connection between the dwelling and tower are obvious to the visitor.
More recently this area became part of the state park system, and this lighthouse is now located in Silver Lake State Park, and the closest town is Mears, MI. Being a Michigan State Park, there is an entrance fee, which is something like $6 a day for Michigan residents and $8 a day for non-residents. Annual passes are also available (good in all MI state parks). Part of the fee helps preserve this lighthouse.
This area is also a very nice beach and on hot summer days, the parking lot may become crowded. Otherwise, one may likely be able to park less than a 100 yards from the lighthouse.
Street address:
Silver Lake State Park
near Mears, MI USA
County / Borough / Parish: Oceana County
Year listed: 1984
Historic (Areas of) Significance: architecture/engineering
Periods of significance: 1850 - 1874
Historic function: Transportation, water navigation
Current function: Transportation, water navigation
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 1: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.