# Grand Traverse Light
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{{Short description|Lighthouse in Michigan, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name = Grand Traverse Light
| image = Grand Traverse Lighthouse (Oct 2020).jpg
| image_size = 275
| caption = Grand Traverse Light in October 2020
| location = [Leelanau Peninsula](/source/Leelanau_Peninsula), [Michigan](/source/Michigan)
| coordinates = {{coord|45.21|N|85.55|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt = 1852
| yearlit = 1852
| automated = 1972
| yeardeactivated =
| foundation = Dressed stone and timber
| construction = Brick, wood, and iron
| shape = Nine-sided on roof of dwelling/Flemish revival[[http://www.michiganlights.com/grandtraverselh.htm Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, Grand Traverse Light.]]
| marking = Red w/black trim [[https://web.archive.org/web/20070704160648/http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/grandtra.htm National Park Service, Maritime Heritage, Inventory of Historic Light Stations Grand Traverse Light.]]
| height = {{convert|41|ft}}
| focalheight = {{convert|47|ft}}[[https://web.archive.org/web/20080830100452/http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/lists/focalheight.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Focal Plane database.]]
| lens = Fifth order [Fresnel lens](/source/Fresnel_lens) (original), DCB 24 Aerobeacon (current)
| intensity =
| range = {{convert|7|nmi}}
| characteristic =
| admiralty =
| module = {{Infobox NRHP
| name = Grand Traverse Light Station
| embed = yes
| nrhp_type =
| image =
| caption =
| location = Leelanau Peninsula, [Northport, Michigan](/source/Northport%2C_Michigan)
| built = 1858
| architect OR builder =
| added = July 19, 1984
| area = {{convert|3|acre}}
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64000182|title=U.S. Coast Guard Lighthouses and Light Stations on the Great Lakes TR}}
| refnum = 84001799[{{NRISref|version=2010a}}]
}}
}}
'''Grand Traverse Light''' is a [lighthouse](/source/lighthouse) in the [U.S. state](/source/U.S._state) of [Michigan](/source/Michigan), located at the tip of the [Leelanau Peninsula](/source/Leelanau_Peninsula), which separates [Lake Michigan](/source/Lake_Michigan) and [Grand Traverse Bay](/source/Grand_Traverse_Bay). It marks the [Manitou passage](/source/Manitou_passage), where [Lake Michigan](/source/Lake_Michigan) elides into [Grand Traverse Bay](/source/Grand_Traverse_Bay). In 1858, the present light was built, replacing a separate round tower built in 1852.[{{Cite web |url=http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/grandtraverse.htm |title=Wobser, David, boatnerd.com Grand Traverse Light. |access-date=2008-06-18 |archive-date=2008-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907150113/http://lighthouse.boatnerd.com/gallery/Michigan/grandtraverse.htm |url-status=dead }}] The lighthouse is located inside [Leelanau State Park](/source/Leelanau_State_Park), {{convert|8|mi}} north of [Northport](/source/Northport%2C_Michigan), a town of about 650 people. This area, in the [Michigan wine](/source/Michigan_wine) country, is commonly visited by tourists during the summer months.
==History==
Some call this "Cat's Head Point Light."[ It is also locally called Northport Light, in honor of the nearby town of Northport.{{Citation needed|date=August 2013}}
The first version of this light, which no longer exists, was ordered built by President [Millard Fillmore](/source/Millard_Fillmore) in July 1850. A brick tower with separate keeper's quarters was constructed at a site east of the present Lighthouse in the state park campground. This first house and tower were deemed inadequate and razed in 1858 when the present structure was built. Still visible is a portion of the lighthouse foundation and the original tower site was located in 1999.][[http://www.grandtraverselighthouse.com/ Grand Traverse Lighthouse]]
The 1858 light is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Reference #84001799, Name of Listing: GRAND TRAVERSE LIGHT (U.S. COAST GUARD/GREAT LAKES TR). It is also on the State List/Inventory having been listed in 1991. [Alpena, Michigan](/source/Alpena%2C_Michigan)'s Fourth Order [Fresnel Lens](/source/Fresnel_Lens) is on display in the [lighthouse keeper](/source/lighthouse_keeper)'s house.[{{Cite web |url=http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm |title=Michigan Historical Markers. |access-date=2008-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412064547/http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm |archive-date=2018-04-12 |url-status=usurped }}]
Today, one can tour the restored lighthouse resembling a keeper's home of the 1920s and 1930s. Exhibits on area lighthouses, foghorns, shipwrecks and local history are located in the Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building. The restored air [diaphone](/source/diaphone) [foghorn](/source/foghorn) is demonstrated throughout the year, and visitors can climb the tower for views of Lake Michigan. The surrounding shoreline has accessible albeit rocky beaches one can visit. The lighthouse is inside of Leelanau State Park which contains campsites and other amenities, and requires either payment or a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter.[{{Cite web |title=Michigan Recreation Search Site Details Page |url=https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=467&type=SPRK |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=www2.dnr.state.mi.us}}] A separate admission fee is charged to enter the lighthouse itself.[{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.grandtraverselighthouse.com/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Grand Traverse Lighthouse |language=en-US}}]