sits where Lake Superior meets the St. Marys River.
It began guiding mariners in 1857, and this building came along in 1870.
In 1962, a modern light was moved to the middle of the channel and the lighthouse went dark. But the story was far from over and the rich history remains.
Early years were difficult for light keepers and their families.
“They pretty much had to sustain their life right here. There wasn’t a grocery store a block away or a clothing store. They had to do all that right here, including their job keeping the light going, making sure the mariners were safe,” explains Julia Slabosheski, U.S. Forest Service.
Prior to electricity, a large kerosene lamp needed to be refilled every four hours. Wicks needed constant trimming and soot had to be cleaned from the glass lens every day.
The location that gave the light house its name dates back to 1662, when the Iroquois from upstate New York tried to surprise the local Ojibwa tribe. History says the invaders were decisively defeated and never ventured this far west again.
In the 1980s, the locals partnered with the forest service to renovate the deteriorating facility and tell its story. And that gets to what makes the Point Iroquois Lighthouse so special, its connection to the community that surrounds it.
“Most of this has been donated by the historical society, local members of the community. We’ve had donations from visitors or members of families of lighthouse keepers who have been here,” explains Julia.
They average 50,000 visitors a year, and opens for the season May 15. Julia says she was never a lighthouse enthusiast until she got to Point Iroquois.
“I never had an interest in lighthouses until I got here and realized how interesting it was, learning the history and being in this location,” says Julia.
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