Lighthouses along the Great Lakes are more than historic towers—they are timekeepers of American maritime history. These beacons once guided freighters, ferries, and fishermen across the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. Today, while no longer essential for navigation, they remain cultural and architectural landmarks deserving of preservation.
Jane Moorman’s Great Lake Lighthouses provides an extensive visual and narrative journey to over 100 lighthouses across Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The book offers more than photographs; it offers perspective. Each lighthouse visited, each shoreline explored, tells a story of industry, loss, resilience, and regional identity. It underscores the urgent need to preserve these structures—not only for their past but for their future.
Preservation safeguards the tangible history of Great Lakes navigation. Many of the lighthouses featured in the book were built during the 19th and early 20th centuries, marking dangerous shoals and guiding ships during stormy nights. Without them, thousands more shipwrecks might have littered the lakebeds. Structures like Whitefish Point, Split Rock, and Wind Point were lifelines. Today, they are among the few remaining witnesses of this heroic maritime era.
The architectural diversity of these lighthouses is another reason for preservation. Moorman’s photography highlights striking designs—from Norman Gothic towers to crib lights standing on lake ice. These structures reflect regional adaptations to climate and shoreline. Each style is a piece of a larger design story that would be lost without ongoing restoration and maintenance.
Local communities have taken up the mantle of preservation. In the book, examples abound—whether it’s the Keweenaw County Historical Society maintaining the Eagle Harbor Light, or the Gulliver Historical Society turning the Seul Choix Point Lighthouse into a museum. These grassroots efforts transform aging structures into sources of tourism, education, and civic pride. By supporting these initiatives, we keep history accessible.
Preserving lighthouses also preserves the stories of those who lived and worked in them. Many lighthouses included in the book housed keepers and families, who climbed dozens of stairs each night to maintain the flame. Some required up to 130 steps, like Presque Isle New Lighthouse. These stories reveal the human commitment behind every flash of light and connect visitors to a past filled with courage and sacrifice.
Finally, lighthouse preservation connects new generations to the natural beauty of the Great Lakes. These towers sit in state parks, nature reserves, and quiet coastal towns. They offer unmatched views, wildlife encounters, and space for reflection. When preserved and interpreted, lighthouses become educational portals where history, architecture, and nature intersect.
Great Lake Lighthouses invites readers to explore, learn, and protect. By showcasing these beacons through vivid images and factual stories, the book serves as both a tribute and a call to action. These structures stand because people fought to save them—and they will stand in the future only if we continue to care.