Charity Island Light is a lighthouse located on Big Charity Island in Lake Huron. It is near the town of Au Gres in the northern part of Michigan.
History
In 1838, the area was a place where lumber was taken from Lower Michigan through rivers that flow into Saginaw Bay. The shallow waters near Charity Island caused problems for ships carrying lumber, making it difficult for them to travel safely. It was not until 1856 that money was provided to build a light on the island.
In 1857, an eight-sided lantern made of cast iron was built on the island. It used a fixed white Fourth Order Fresnel lens, and the tower was 39 feet (12 meters) tall. This light could be seen up to 13 nautical miles (24 kilometers; 15 miles) away. At the time, the Lighthouse Board was working to build lights along the coast, and a visibility range of 13 nautical miles was considered enough to keep ships away from the island and help them move between lights.
The lighthouse originally used a white Fourth Order Fresnel lens. These lenses were 28 inches (710 millimeters) wide, had a focal length of 9.8 inches (250 millimeters), and used 5 ounces (140 grams) of oil each hour. Although such lenses could shine up to 15 nautical miles (28 kilometers; 17 miles), the lens on Charity Island had a range of 13 nautical miles. In 1900, the lens was replaced with an acetylene lens. This change made the light flash every 10 seconds instead of staying steady. Charity Island lighthouse was the first on the Great Lakes to use this type of light.
The lighthouse became fully automated in 1900. The original keeper’s house was a wooden building with two units connected by a walkway to the tower. In 1907, the tower was extended to 45 feet (14 meters) tall, and the house got a second floor. In 1917, the site became the first to use an acetylene lamp for automation.
The light was no longer used after 1939, when a new light was built at Gravelly Shoal. Over time, the lighthouse fell into disrepair and was listed on the Lighthouse Digest’s "Doomsday List," which identifies historic lighthouses in need of restoration.
One source says the tower is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Another source claims the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service owns the tower, and the Arenac County Historical Society operates it.
Present status
The Charity Island Preservation Committee, part of the Arenac County Historical Society, is working to restore the tower. The original house where the keeper lived was demolished, and a new house has been built on the same foundation and restored to its former condition. This new house is now used as a restaurant and a place where people can stay overnight. A complete list of all the people who once cared for the light is kept for historical records.
Access
It is difficult to reach this light because Lake Huron is shallow and rocky in this area, and the light is far from the shore. To get a boat close to it, a motor, oars, or a long paddle is needed, along with a lot of care.
Tours of the island are available on a boat called the Miss Charity Isle. Earlier, trips organized by Charity Island Transport Inc. in Au Gres allowed visitors to see Gravelly Shoal Light up close, tour the light keeper’s house on the island (before it became an Airbnb), and have dinner there. Now, day trips depart from Brown’s Landing RV Park in Alabaster. More information about visiting the island can be found at CharityIsland.net.