Lighthouses are prevalent along the Great Lakes. It seems there is one around every corner and that is okay with us. We enjoy visiting because each is unique and has an interesting history. Some are working stations and others have taken on another life. They could be a museum, inn, home or another use, yet they all make us remember their original purpose – the safety of ships and their crews.The White River Light Station was built in 1875 and decommission in 1960. The first light keeper was Captain William Robinson spending 47 years at the station. Each lighthouse has given us an interesting piece of history and this one is no different. The last female lighthouse keeper in Michigan, Frances Marshall, was stationed at White Lake.

The Whitehall/Montague area was home to pine forests which brought sawmills and transportation needed to harvest and haul lumber. A channel was dug between White Lake and Lake Michigan and a light was needed to guide the schooners. Later steamships ferried passengers from Chicago to enjoy summers on White Lake.

After the light was deactivated in 1960, the building was unused for ten years. In 1970 it was opened as a museum. The museum has not only shipping items but also is dedicated to the logging industry which helped build the area.

Happy travels and many adventures along your journey.

Survey Marker

Oil storage building

Plaque

Sculpture

These Lighthouse earrings from CAJUNVILLE are fun to wear