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D e p a r t m e n t s | GREAT LAKES BOATING 55
CHARITY ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
Charity Island, Michigan
By Shandra Batemon
O
ff the coast of beautiful and resilient Michi-
gan is a small rural island with a long history
of lives saved and lives lost. The small "Big"
island of Charity Island is home to a stoically gorgeous
lighthouse. The Charity Island Lighthouse was orig-
inally built in 1856 with its first light flickering to life
in 1857. The lighthouse was positioned off the coast
of Michigan in a chain of coastal lighthouses being
built in the mid 1800s as a warning and travel system
for seafarers braving the coastal shoals and shallows at
night.
This guardian of the night did its job well during
its career until it was made obsolete in 1939 with the
construction of the Gravelly Shoal Lighthouse. This
did not put an end to its use, however. Currently
run by private owners Robert and Karen Wiltse, the
Charity Island Lighthouse remains a wonderful tourist
attraction that sports breathtaking vistas of the blue
Saginaw Bay. The Wiltses keep it open as a bed and
breakfast resort for those looking to get away from
the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a unique and
calming environment.
New USCG Light List
For detailed information on locations of official lights and aids to navigation on the
Great Lakes (Vol. 7), check out the new United States Coast Guard Light List from ProStar
Publications.
www.prostarpublications.com
