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With its surrounding Great Lakes, Michigan holds a deep maritime history – and with 28 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Ludington boasts its very own past that is steeped in maritime activity. Two points of pride in that history are the long-standing local lighthouses: North Breakwater Light and Big Sable Point Lighthouse.
The North Breakwater Lighthouse
The original 1870 lighthouse that once stood in the place now known as the North Breakwater Light consisted of a 30-foot-tall, wooden tower, painted white, that displayed a fixed red light using a fifth-order Fresnel lens. Commanding and exquisite in its new design, standing 57 feet tall, this proud structure was built in 1924 and was designed to break the rough waves that so easily turn up on Lake Michigan as the weather changes.
This light is open for tours and tower climbs from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, May 21 through September 2, 2024 and boasts a vibrant green light from its tower. The Breakwater Light is at the end of a half-mile walk down the pier at Stearns Park Beach with a unique view of the channel and shoreline.
2024 brings a big celebration of the lighthouse in honor of its 100th anniversary. Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association invites the public to an event on Saturday, June 8 at Stearns Park that includes an evening market plus kids' games and activities, followed by a free, 20-minute light show at dusk (around 10 p.m.) that will project lasers onto the lighthouse.
Check out other Love Ludington Weekend events here.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse
Built in 1867 and set 1.8 miles north of the Ludington State Park entrance, just a half-hour meander through the dunes, at over 100 feet tall, this historically noble, black-and-white navigational beacon sits nestled among dunes and jack pines. It is a huge attraction for both visitors and locals alike. In its original form by 1899, it became apparent that action had to be taken to preserve then-deteriorating brick in the tower of the lighthouse, and the following year, the tower was encased in 18 metal cylinders. When the work was completed in June 1900, the metal tower was painted white with its middle third black.
Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, tour the original keeper’s quarters converted into a gift shop, stroll along the dunes or climb the tower between 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. May 7-October 21, 2024. There are dates available, known as “Big Sable Bus Days,” that offer busing to the lighthouse from the Ludington State Park parking lot on June 22, July 6 & 18, August 3, 15 & 31. The light will also be open for evening hours (with no busing) on August 29 from 7-9 p.m.
For more information, visit splka.org.
*NOTE: There is a small fee to climb each lighthouse to help maintain their upkeep and repair needs. The cost to climb each lighthouse is $8 for adults and $5 for children. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to enter the Ludington State Park.
