Historic Lighthouse on Lake Superior Up for Sale

Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Lighthouse up for salePhoto byGeneral Services Administration

Ever wanted a cozy lighthouse escape? Your dream could come true! A stunning 68-foot-tall lighthouse in Lake Superior, Michigan is up for grabs.

Known as the Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light or Portage Lake Lower Entry Light, this historic lighthouse was built in 1919-20. It sits in Keweenaw Bay, part of Lake Superior's southern arm, offering a tranquil getaway southeast of Chassell, Michigan.

With a white flash every six seconds, the lighthouse guides ships at the bay's end where Portage River meets it. Attached to an Army Corps of Engineers breakwater, it stands on a sturdy concrete pier and timber crib foundation. The lighthouse has a three-story octagonal tower and a machine room, providing around 1,000 square feet of space.

Currently, the General Services Administration (GSA) is auctioning off this gem along with three other lighthouses in Connecticut and Ohio. Bidding began on August 1 and has reached $16,000. The auction's end date isn't fixed, but buyers probably have two to six weeks to make offers.

However, there are restrictions on altering the property due to its National Register of Historic Places status. The lighthouse's ownership was transferred to the Keweenaw Waterway Lighthouse Conservancy in 2016. Since preservation became challenging, the government decided to sell it.

Though lighthouses often require costly maintenance, passionate lighthouse lovers typically invest in restoration. Some lighthouse owners also rent out their structures to vacationers for extra income. The sale is a nod to the lighthouse keepers' crucial role in ensuring safe passage for ships.

People really appreciate the heroic role of the solitary lighthouse keeper. They were really the instruments to provide safe passage into some of these perilous harbors which afforded communities great opportunities for commerce, and they’re often located in prominent locations that offer breathtaking views.- John Kelly, Director, GSA's office of real property disposition

If you're ready for a unique adventure and have a deep love for lighthouses, this might be your golden opportunity to own a piece of history and breathtaking views.