Historical Information

In 1851, the first light at Muskegon was constructed on shore, and consisted of a keepers dwelling with an integrated roof-mounted tower.

With the Army Corps of Engineers completion of the harbor pier in 1902, the decision was made to replace this shore light with a new light at the end of the pier, with work completed the following year. The fifty-three foot steel tower was equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens manufactured by Sautter & Cie, of Paris.

The light still shines to this day, as can be seen in the photograph to the top right, however the Fresnel lens has been replaced by a modern 300mm acrylic optic.

Keepers of this Light

Click Here to see a complete listing of all Muskegon and Pierhead Light keepers compiled by Phyllis L. Tag of Great Lakes Lighthouse Research.

It is sad to say that we do not remember too much about our visit to the Muskegon Pier light, other than the fact that most of the photographs we took turned-out to be terrible.

The dark red North Pier tower, is not listed in any of the lighthouse books, nor in the Coast Guard lighthouse registry. Thus I assume it must be considered a low-level aid to navigation, and was likely built much more recently than the South Tower, which is listed in all sources.

Finding this Light

Take US31 to Muskegon and Sherman Boulevard. Take Sherman to Beach Street and take Beach street to the pier.

Reference Sources

Inventory of Historic Light Stations, National Parks Service, 1994 
Photographs from author's personal collection.
Personal observation at Muskegon, 09/05/1998
Keeper listings for this light appear courtesy of Great Lakes Lighthouse Research

Click to view Muskegon weather conditions