About the Lights
Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy
The Muskegon South Breakwater and South Pierhead lighthouses were transferred via a deed through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NLHPA) process to the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy (MLC) in the summer of 2010 from the General Services Administration. MLC holds leases with the US Army Corps of Engineers for both lights, who own the breakwater and pier the lights sit on.
All that remains of the once robust light station today are the two light towers, the 1903 pierhead and the 1931 breakwater although other lighthouses existed in the harbor area since 1851. The keeper’s residence was razed in the early 1970’s to make way for a new US Coast Guard station and a historic 1905 US Life-Saving Station has been converted into a NOAA facility at the base of the pier.
MLC has completed a Historic Structures Report (HSR), which are detailed restoration plans that have allowed us to properly direct our resources and historic preservation contractors in restoring the lighthouses when funds are available to do such projects. We have opened p the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse after providing safety balusters and railings to allow people to be able to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the scenic stretches of shoreline and the channel.
The lighthouses are located in Muskegon's Pere Marquette Park and the South Breakwater Lighthouse is accessed directly from the beach and the South Pierhead Lighthouse is accessed through the NOAA Lake Michigan Field Station property adjacent to the South Pierhead through a designated pedestrian pathway painted yellow on the pavement.
We continuously seek local partnerships in Muskegon with key organizations in order to support the lights and raise the necessary funds to restore them. We are asking for donations towards the lights preservation at this time. It is estimated that approximately $1,400,000 will be needed for the South Breakwater Lighthouse and approximately $500,000 will be needed for the South Pierhead Lighthouse to completely preserve each lighthouse. A special project would be to provide a historical replica of a classical Fresnel lens as a finishing touch after rehabilitation and restoration to give the South Pierhead light an authentic historic appearance, which will cost approximately $65,000.
We have done various projects on each lighthouse to keep them sealed up and to prevent continued deterioration, but we need funds to accomplish these tasks. Please see our fundraising page here to help.
Help Save Lighthouses – Donate Now
Help support the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy with your thoughtful donation