Old Mission Point Light

History…

The Old Mission Point Lighthouse, which is positioned precisely at the 45th parallel between the Equator and the North Pole, sits in a Township park at the end of the Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City. The lighthouse was built in 1870 and is an exact duplicate of the Mama Juda Lighthouse built on the Detroit River in 1866. The lights of the 30-ft tower were eventually replaced by automated offshore lights and the lighthouse was deactivated in 1933.

The lighthouse is now owned and maintained by Peninsula Township and the keeper’s dwelling serves as a private residence for the park manager. The park and lighthouse grounds are open to the public year around, and also contain the Hesler log home, circa 1856. There are a series of hiking trails in the woods off to the east of the lighthouse, many of them providing access to the beach.

Getting There…

Follow M-37 north out of Traverse City onto the Old Mission Peninsula. The Mission Peninsula, originally named for the Peter Dougherty Mission, divides Grand Traverse Bay into its east and west arms. At many of the higher vistas during your drive up the peninsula you can see both arms of the bay. The Traverse City area is one of the largest cherry producers in the nation and you will notice many cherry orchards on the peninsula. There are also several vineyards and wineries along the peninsula, a few of which offer tasting rooms. When you see the sign for “Old Mission” pointing to the right, continue straight to the lighthouse. Turning right will bring you into the town of Old Mission where you will find a quaint old General Store, which is worth a stop on your way back down. M-37 ends at Lighthouse Park.

An alternate route up to Old Mission is to take Peninsula Drive, which is a little longer, but a very scenic drive along the bay. If you go this way, make some time to stop and dine at either Bower’s Harbor Inn (fine dining) or the Bowery (casual pub style). They have a wonderful selection of custom entrees and local wines (try the Traverse City cherry wine). Legend has it that Bower’s Harbor Inn, the former home of lumber baron, J.W. Stickney, is haunted and periodic reports of strange noises and phenomena continue to this day. Customers have reported seeing silhouettes in period clothing and the elevator is rumored to have a mind of its own, starting and stopping at whim, even when empty.

Clues…

This box has been pulled for maintenance; replacement is anticipated in spring 2008.