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Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl Red 4s🇺🇸Ontonagon Township, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse

This steel skeletal tower stands 9.5 meters tall on the western side of the Ontonagon River's mouth, where it enters Lake Superior. Built in 1900, the square pyramidal structure features a black lantern atop its white exterior. Its light emits a single red flash every 4 seconds, visible for a geographic range of 10.2 nautical miles. The tower includes an enclosed workroom below the lantern and gallery. The Ontonagon Harbor West Breakwater light was established in 1875, with the first light swept away by a storm in 1899. The current structure began operation in 1900. It is located 0.2 kilometers from the nearest port, Ontonagon.

Why it matters: The lighthouse became available for transfer under the NHLPA in 2012 and was reoffered in June 2024 after previous transfer attempts and private sale.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl R 4s
Focal Height
9.5m
Geographic Range
10.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1900
Heritage Status
Available for transfer under NHLPA (2012)

Significant events: First light relocated three times; First light swept away by storm in 1899; Became available for transfer under NHLPA in 2012; Ontonagon County Historical Society declined transfer; Sold at auction for $7500 in September 2019; Owner returned property to government; Reoffered under NHLPA in June 2024

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ontonagon(0.2 km)
USCG No.
7-15225
ARLHS No.
USA-1084

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
square pyramidal skeletal
Tower Color
white, lantern black
Material
steel

Structure: A 9.5m square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with lantern and gallery and an enclosed workroom below the lantern, painted white with a black lantern.

Location

City
Ontonagon Township
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Michigan
Sea Region
Western side of the mouth of the Ontonagon River, off MI 64, on Lake Superior
Latitude
46.8794°
Longitude
-89.3309°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Ontonagon County Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl Red 4s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ontonagon at 0.3 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include White Pine (13 NM SW), MARKHAMS (32.7 NM ENE), HOUGHTON (34.4 NM ENE), Baraga (35.3 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ontonagon County Lighthouses Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.