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St. Martin Island Lighthouse

Fl WR 5s🇺🇸Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About St. Martin Island Lighthouse

The St. Martin Island Light, a unique exoskeleton structure, was built in 1905. This hexagonal iron tower stands 23 meters tall and is supported by six exterior steel posts with latticed buttresses. It is the only known example of a pure exoskeletal tower design on the Great Lakes in the United States. A cream city brick keeper's house, modeled after the Plum Island Range Lights, was also constructed. The light emits a white and red signal. A steam fog signal was initially installed and later replaced by a diaphone. The keeper's dwelling is currently in poor condition and the light station is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks one of four passages between Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay. It is recognized as a Michigan state historic site.

Background
St. Martin Island Light is an exoskeleton lighthouse on St. Martin Island. It marks one of four passages between Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay. Constructed in 1905, this light tower is the only example in the US of a pure exoskeletal tower on the Great Lakes. Similar designs exist in Canada. Painted white, the hexagonal tower is made of iron plates which are supported by six exterior steel posts that have latticed buttresses. The cream city brick lightkeeper's house was modeled after that used for the Plum Island Range Lights. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1984, Reference #84001387 as St. Martin Light Station (U.S. Coast Guard/ Great Lakes TR). It is not on the state list/inventory. A steam fog signal was also installed. which was thereafter replaced by a diaphone. The lighthouse keeper's dwelling has been abandoned and "is in poor condition." The light station is closed to the public. It is managed by in partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Band of the Odawa Indian Nation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
25.5m

Construction & History

Year Built
1905
Heritage Status
Michigan state historic site

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7590030 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
23m

Location

City
Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
45.5035°
Longitude
-86.7581°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify St. Martin Island Lighthouse at night?+
St. Martin Island displays the characteristic Fl WR 5s — 1 wr flash every 5 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. The wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does St. Martin Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
St. Martin Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FAIRPORT FISHERY at 8.1 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include SOUTH BAY (11.6 NM SSW), WASHINGTON ISLAND (12.5 NM SW), Escanaba (20.1 NM NW), GLADSTONE (22.9 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is St. Martin Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, St. Martin Island 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 St. Martin Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near St. Martin Island 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.