The Stonington Peninsula juts into
Lake Michigan from the southern coast of Michigan's
Upper Peninsula at a key point along the shipping lanes to and from the docks of
Escanaba and
Gladstone, as a hazardous
shoal extends more than out into the lake, posing a hazard to shipping. Thus the light had two purposes: (1) it marked a turning point; and (2) it warned mariners away from the rocks and shallows. Danger was inherent in the confluence of
reefs and the shipping channels, through which
fish,
iron ore,
lumber, along with other products were transported. "The U.S. Government recognized the need for a lighthouse on the peninsula to aid navigation around these dangerous shoals and reefs separating
Big Bay de Noc,
Little Bay de Noc, and
Green Bay of Lake Michigan." Although Congress voted funds to build the lighthouse founded in 1856, funds were again appropriated for the building of a lighthouse on the Stonington Peninsula on July 20, 1864. Point Peninsula Light's first
keeper was Mr. Charles Beggs, who died there in 1887. The second keeper was Mr. Henry Corgan. Mr. Peter Knutsen was third. In 1889 Captain James D. Armstrong was appointed keeper and this was home to him and his family until 1922. In 1937, the USDA-Forest Service was granted custodianship. The building was repaired and public picnic grounds were constructed by the
Civilian Conservation Corps. The Stonington
Grange took over maintenance of the structure and grounds. In 1949 the Grange won first prize in their State contest for their work at the lighthouse. The house portion burned to the ground in 1959. Debris was cleared and damage to the north side of the tower repaired in 1962 by the USDA Forest Service. Its tower is open for visitors to climb into the
cast iron lantern room at the top of a cast-iron spiral staircase. ==Current status==