National Register of Historic Places

Round Island Lighthouse

Mackinac Island, Mackinac County, Michigan
Listed
August 20, 1974
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
74000994

About this property

The Round Island Light, also known as the Old Round Island Point Lighthouse, is a lighthouse located on the west shore of Round Island in the shipping lanes of the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It was deemed necessary because the island is a significant hazard to navigation in the straits, and was seen as an effective complement to the other lights in the area. Because of its color scheme and form — red stone base and wood tower — it has been likened to an old-fashioned schoolhouse. Ferries regularly pass it on their way to (and from) Mackinac Island, and it is a recognizable icon of the upper Great Lakes.

Location

Mackinac Island, Mackinac County, Michigan
45.83726, -84.61660

Categories

COMMERCETRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Round Island Lighthouse

This page lists Round Island Lighthouse. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Round Island Lighthouse report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Round Island Passage Light
Industrial
0.4 mi
Stuart, Robert, House
Industrial
0.9 mi
Geary, Mathew, House
Industrial
0.9 mi
Mission Church
Colonial
1 mi
Indian Dormitory
Industrial
1 mi

Nearby Battles

Surrender of Fort Mackinac
1812Early Republic
0.8 mi
Recapture of Fort Mackinac (US Attempt)
1814Early Republic
0.8 mi
Siege of Fort Mackinac 1814 (American attempt)
1814Early Republic
0.9 mi
Battle of Mackinac Island 1814
1814Early Republic
0.9 mi
Capture of Fort Mackinac 1812
1812Early Republic
0.9 mi

Questions about this property

When was Round Island Lighthouse listed on the National Register?

Round Island Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1974.

What type of historic resource is Round Island Lighthouse?

Round Island Lighthouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Round Island Lighthouse?

The period of significance for Round Island Lighthouse is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Round Island Lighthouse?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Round Island Lighthouse will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Mackinac County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Mackinac County.

Explore MackinacCounty ›

More historic places in Michigan

Browse all historic places in Michigan.

View Michiganhistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Michigan history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Michiganhistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Round Island Lighthouse will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report