Menu
Log in

KCHS logo

Caretakers of the past, stewards of the future.

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse

The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse 

Fresnel LensThe copper mining industry began on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the 1840s. Lake Superior’s unreliable disposition meant that passing ships needed navigational assistance, and in 1851 the original lighthouse was built. The wooden tower which supported a fourth-order Fresnel lens illuminated by an oil lamp soon deteriorated, and in 1871 it was replaced by the present red brick structure. In 1895 a fog signal was added.

In the 1960s, the Fresnel lens was replaced by aviation beacon-type white and red lights, which beam their warning to ships more than 20 miles offshore. After being tended by 22 keepers since 1851, the lighthouse became automated in 1980 and the last personnel left in 1982.

(Photo: A Fourth Order Fresnel Lens, similar to the one originally installed in the tower, is on display in the lighthouse.)

Current Eagle Harbor lightSince 1982 the Keweenaw County Historical Society has maintained four museums at the light station. Besides the lighthouse, they include a Maritime Museum in the old fog signal building, a Keweenaw History Museum located in the old U. S. Coast Guard Station garage, and Commercial Fishing Museum located in one of the assistant keepers' buildings.

(Photo: The current Marine Rotating Beacons equipped with a 12 volt/75 watt lamp/bulb at the top of the tower lacks the romance of the Fresnel lens but is much more efficient.)

Inside the lighthouse parlorIn 1999, Congress transferred ownership of the Eagle Harbor Light Station to the Keweenaw County Historical Society. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate the light at the top of the tower as an active navigational aid, and as such, the top of the tower is not open to visitors.

(Photo: Care has been taken to decorate the inside of the lighthouse, including the parlor shown here, in a 1930’s style, when electricity first arrived at the lighthouse.)

Visiting The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Museum

Parking- Please NOTE that the parking lot is small and there is one-way traffic going in and out of the grounds.  Large RVs/campers have GREAT difficulty turning around.

Season-
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. 2024 schedule TBD.

Hours & Admission-
June, September and October hours are 12-5 PM.  July and August hours are 10 AM-5 PM,  Monday - Saturday and 12-5 PM on Sunday.  Admission $8.00. Children under 16 and KCHS members free.

Location-
The Eagle Harbor Lig
h
thouse Complex is located at 670 Lighthouse Road, not far from the swimming beach along M26 in Eagle Harbor. GPS: N 47 27.582 W 88 09.558, Decimal Degrees: 47.459705, -88.159300

Related Links-

NEWS

All sites are closed for the season

New Photo Archive

A Window To The Past
KCHS Members can access our new online photo archive. Presently the archives contain over 400 historical photos unique to the area.

BECOME A MEMBER

Coming this season!
The Lighthouse Gift Shop will be selling local thimbleberry jam. Proceeds will help us maintain our historical treasures with a historicaly renewable resource.

Our thanks to Dorothy Jamison and The Wood'n Spoon for making this available.

Booking Changes are Coming to KCHS Rental Properties.
KCHS is rolling out its new online booking process. As of May 12, 2024, booking for 2025 will only be available on this website.

MORE INFORMATION

KCHS RENTAL PROPERTIES

BECOME A MEMBER


EVENTS


MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software