Muskegon Lighthouses

The two historic, iconic Muskegon Lighthouses at the City of Muskegon's Pere Marquette Park -- the South Breakwater Light and the South Pierhead Light -- are owned and being preserved by the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy of Fenton, MI. The lighthouse non-profit obtained them from the federal government in 2010 under the National Lighthouse Preservation Act. For more than a decade, the MLC worked to preserve the two structures that are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The lighthouses have welcomed mariners to the Muskegon Harbor and thrilled landlubber visitors to the city's Lake Michigan beach for dramatic sunset photos framed by the lighthouses. Now the South Breakwater Light has incurred significant deterioration. The MLC has had engineering studies and the steel structure built in 1931 needs at least $1 million worth of rehabilitation. Thanks to former State Rep. Terry Sabo, the city received an $800,000 state grant to begin the renovation work.

MLC is currently working with the city to use the state grant funds for the restoration work of the South Breakwater Light. The restoration plan has been approved by the National Park Service and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Construction bid documents have been issued and a contractor has been selected by the MLC. A more detailed project schedule is currently being developed by the MLC and restoration is expected to begin in July. It will not be taken off its base. Work will be done onsite.

MLC is also in the process of developing a long-term plan for both the South Breakwater and South Pierhead Lights. MLC is seeking to transfer ownership of both structures to the City. A formal plan would have to be presented to the city commission for their consideration and approval. If approved, a more formal process would begin to petition the federal government for transfer of ownership from the MLC to the City of Muskegon.

Please be on the lookout for updates from the MLC on ways the community may assist in helping to raise funds to complete the restortation of these historic structures. These resources will also help support the creation of a local Friends of the Lighthouses group to provide tours, historic intrepretation, a gift shop and establish a decades-long maintenance program.

UPDATE FROM THE LOCAL FRIENDS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE GROUP -
Muskegon South Pierhead Light tours begin on Memorial Weekend each year. A redesigned Gift Shop includes locally crafted items for sale with all proceeds going to restoration of Muskegon Lights. Tours cost $5 per person. Tours and Gift Shop are open Fri-Mon from 1:00PM to 5:00PM. To learn more about private/group tours, special events or volunteering opportunities, please contact muskegonlightsoperations@gmail.com or visit https://muskegonlights.org/.

For questions on local efforts to preserve the South Breakwater Lighthouse, feel free to contact Kim Lange, 231-747-9626 or kimlange2001@yahoo.com