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Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse

Fl W 20s🇺🇸Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse

This Michigan lighthouse, standing 27 meters tall, first became operational in 1848. Its focal height reaches 28 meters above the water. The current structure dates to 1857. The lighthouse emits a white light and is located on the northeastern tip of Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula, along the shores of Lake Huron. The name, translated from French, refers to a shallow coastline hazardous to larger vessels.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest active lights in Michigan.

Background
Pointe aux Barques ( point-ə-BARKS) Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is an active lighthouse and adjoining museum located in Huron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located along the shores of Lake Huron on the northeastern tip of the Thumb. The current structure, built in 1857, is one of the oldest active lighthouses in the state and the site now serves as an interpretive center for the lighthouse, the nearby United States Life-Saving Service station, and local maritime history. The name is translated as "point of little boats" from the French language, which refers to the shallow coastline that poses a threat to larger boats.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
20s
Focal Height
28m

Construction & History

Year Built
1848
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7208336 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
27m

Location

City
Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
44.0228°
Longitude
-82.7935°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse at night?+
Pointe Aux Barques displays the characteristic Fl W 20s — 1 white flash every 20 seconds. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Harbor Beach at 12.1 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include JERRY'S (31.5 NM WNW), OSCODA (32.5 NM NW), SEBEWAING (33.6 NM WSW), TAWAS CITY (33.9 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Pointe Aux Barques 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 Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Pointe Aux Barques 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.