Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum

09/25/2026

09/10/2026

Happy Birthday Grand Traverse Lighthouse (Cathead Lighthouse)! 174 years old today! It was on this day that the newly appointed keeper David Moon lit the light on what would be known as the first lighthouse (the old site-see the first image in the photo section). It had a keeper dwelling with a separate conical tower that only stood 30' tall. In 1858 it was replaced with a larger and taller lighthouse located further at the end of the peninsula. We celebrate today an amazing history with looking back at the amazing people who have kept the light burning. As this lighthouse is one of the oldest on Lake Michigan, it is on the State and National Register. It is owned by the State of Michigan (DNR-Leelanau State Park) and is managed by the non-profit organization, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum (since 1984).

As of today we are officially "On the road to 175", which you will hear more about as we go into the next three months.

09/09/2026

🇺🇸 Did you know the United States officially adopted its name 250 years ago today?

On September 9, 1776, the Continental Congress resolved that official commissions and documents would use “United States” instead of “United Colonies.”

A new nation had declared its independence—and now it had the name it would carry into history.

09/04/2026

Heads up! This is next to the lighthouse.

09/03/2026

Rarely do we see a photo from the Grand Traverse Light Station that we haven’t seen before. Thanks to GTLM member Jeff Shook for sharing this find. I have ordered it for our collection and it is below.

This is a photo of the dock that would have extended out from the Fog Signal building. Dates to 1913. The guy near the boat is most likely our assistant keeper John C. Fish or Ira Flagstad. Looks like the Station had two small boats. This dock is long gone now. Just as a foot note. There are two times that I am aware of the government, went around to lighthouses and took photos for documentation. 1883 and 1913. So happy those photos still exist.

It's an amazing photo!

09/02/2026

This Saturday! Pop up lunch at the Lighthouse.

09/01/2026

UPDATE: Bricks are being installed on Saturday, Oct. 17th. Thank you Mark Westmaas!

If you ordered a brick for the brick walkway at the Lighthouse. The order was submitted today. We should have them back to us by the end of the month. I will let you know when we can get them installed in October. Thanks.