One of the oldest shoal lights is west of Mackinaw City, the Waugoshance Light Station. It’s decaying and falling into Lake Michigan.
A lightkeeper there, by the name of John Herman, was known for pulling pranks on his assistants.
One story by the Harbor Light newspaper talks about describes Herman locking an assistant in the lantern room. When the assistant finally got out, Herman was nowhere to be found — never to be seen again.
The Waugoshance Light has taken a beating from the harsh conditions in northern Michigan. It was used as target practice by the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Plans to restore it ended in 2021. Organizers said it would be too expensive.
But further south the Northern Manitou Shoal Light Station is being restored. It’s right off the coast of Leland.
This station was known for its keepers recreational activities. One would rappel from the gallery outside the lantern room to the concrete deck below.
North Manitou Light Keepers are restoring the station. Tours of that lighthouse are going on right now, but someday people will be able to stay the night.
Have a story we should tell on Maritime Time? Let us know. Email Tyler Thompson at tyler.thompson@interlochen.org.
