Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights
Grand Haven, MI

History:
Grand Haven is the site of two lights. The outer light is a wood building sheathed in steel, and the Inner Light is a conical cast iron tower. The Inner Light was originally built in 1839, then moved and rebuilt in 1905. It has a 51-foot tall tower and is painted fire engine red. Both lights are painted red and connect via a catwalk.

Most buildings such as the outer light were not constructed to have lighthouse keepers and their families dwelling there, although it could be done. These big buildings were actually built to hold giant marine boilers that powered their fog signals.

These two lights are connected along the pier and to the shore by a long catwalk, a remnant of the days when the keepers would have to avoid the large waves. The pier itself is a favorite destination for fishermen.

Source: Internet Public Library

Latitude/Longitude: 43.057271,-86.253837

Nearest Address: 967 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI

• (if coming from the south) Take I-96 north to exit 9, route 104, and head towards Grand Haven.
• Take Route 104 for 7.0 miles into Grand Haven.
• At the intersection with Route 31, take a left onto Route 31.
• Stay on Route 31 for 0.7 miles, then take a right onto Jackson St.
• In 0.6 miles as Jackson St. curves to the left, it becomes N. Harbor Rd. Stay on that road.
• In another 0.3 miles N. Harbor Rd. becomes S. Harbor Rd. Keep going on that road.
• Finally, in 0.7 miles you'll come to Grand Haven State Park. Before the road curves to the left, there is an entrance to park and walk to the lighthouse. Park there. Otherwise you'll have to park BEYOND the RV park, and walk a long distance via the beach.

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