SKU: 5480

Construction of Great Lakes lighthouses in the 1800s rapidly increased to accommodate the boom in shipping newly found copper, ore & lumber from Wisconsin & Michigan. Several vessels had been wrecked on the rocky point of Big Bay on Lake Superior, halfway between Marquette and the Keweenaw Portage Entry. Built as a two story brick duplex in 1884, the 65 foot high light tower was built in the center and rose 105 feet above Lake Superior. First lit in 1896, the light was fully automated in 1941. The buildings and land were leased to the US Army in 1952/1953 for anti-aircraft artillery training. A soldier stationed at the lighthouse in 1952 committed murder at the Lumberjack Tavern in Big Bay and the movie "Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed in the area based on the incident.

The lighthouse and 33 acres were sold in 1961 to Dr. John Pick from Chicago. He sold it in 1979 to Dan Hitchens of Traverse City. Hitchens remodeled the lighthouse to be used as a conference center and retreat for corporate executives. Norman Gotschall purchased it in 1986 and reopened it as a bed and breakfast. John Gale and Linda and Jeff Gamble purchased the property in 1992 and continue to run it as the Big Bay Point Lighthouse Inn.

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