Michigan is home to plenty of frightening places that are often said to be haunted. New Book Spirits 2 at Seul Choix Pointe Available. With the amount of traffic traveling in and out of the White River, Robinson was surprised there was no light to guide their safe passage. We’ve assembled a list of 51 of Michigan’s most haunted places, from the scaries of Michigan’s haunted houses to spooky cemeteries to old psychiatric hospitals…what can we say, Michigan has a little bit of everything. The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is the oldest in Michigan and still operational today. PromoteMichigan.com The Ghost of Captain James S. Donahue — South Haven A disabled veteran of the Civil War (losing his leg in the Battle of the Wilderness), Captain James S. Donahue began his service in South Haven in April, 1874—at … Oleszewski, Wes. Lighthouse Adventures: Heroes, Haunts & Havoc On The Great Lakes. White River Light Station: The Most Haunted Lighthouse of All Time. Footsteps, self-opening doors, and eerie sounds are among the unexplainable occurrences. They also do tours. White River Light. Located in the city of Gulliver in the Upper Peninsula, this lighthouse is considered to be one of Michigan's "most haunted" beacons. Another version says the lightkeeper had a lady friend on the side and stuffed his wife in the tunnel when he went to go see her, making sure his wife couldn’t meddle with his adulterous activities. Together, she has woven a narrative around 13 lighthouses more or less evenly distributed among Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Regarded as Michigan’s most haunted lighthouse, the Gulliver Historical Society has logged hundreds of ghost stories at Seul Choix Point Lighthouse… Ghosts and lighthouses are synonymous with each other and Michigan has the most lighthouses of any state in the U.S. At one point in Michigan history, we had over 200 working lighthouses on our lakes. Discover more about this property by reading the extended version HERE. Its very first light keeper, Captain Willian Robinson took his post there in 1876. That keeper sunk into a depression and his body was supposed to be found hanging in the woods near the light overlooking Lake Superior. Subscribe Please! Mary McNaughton was born Sept. 5, 1884 and died at the age of 7. New Presque Isle near Alpena, is one of the tallest lights on the Great Lakes at 113 feet and was built in 1870. Isolation and loneliness are common themes in lighthouse ghost stories and this tale is the Michigan version of The Shining.  The most famous tale of this light says the lightkeeper went insane from the isolation and shut his wife up in a tunnel on the property. So, no matter where you live, there’s probably a haunted lighthouse or two within about 100 miles. It withstood the Michigan storms and even survived the Great Fire of 1881 because the men of the life-saving station created a bucket brigade to douse the flames surrounding the lighthouse. The very secluded Point aux Barques lighthouse was built in 1847 near the tip of the thumb along Lake Huron. The Irish-themed inn and pub has a resident ghost that has been seen in just about every guest room. Enjoy learning about just a few of Michigan’s well known haunted lighthouses and the stories behind them. Venture to the most haunted places in Michigan … Dense forests, looming light houses, and iconic structures full of history and hauntings. The museum that operates the tours today have one of Bob’s uniforms on display complete with a mustache along with several of his light keeping tools. Michigan, surrounded by water on three sides, has about 125 lighthouses and of those, 40 or more have a ghost story tied to them are said to be haunted. Folks say the most often-haunted rooms, though, are the Lancaster Room and the Devonshire Room. If any of the lightkeepers fell asleep on the job, their chair was kicked out from beneath them. Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend at Amazon to learn more click HERE. Regarded as Michigan’s most haunted lighthouse, the Gulliver Historical Society has logged hundreds of ghost stories at Seul Choix Point Lighthouse… Their “Westward Tour” includes passes by White Shoal, Grays Reef, Waugoshance and St. Helena Island. Lightkeeper William Robinson devoted 47 years of his life to the light and was forced out of his position due to age. I took a picture of an older tombstone and William’s is actually a smaller, more unassuming and “newer” one to the right of the stone I took a picture of. Depressed, William died soon after and it would seem he got his wish to stay behind and continue his “afterlife” at the old lighthouse. Gwinn, MI: Avery Color Studios, 1998. With Halloween approaching, many people find themselves in need of a spooky fix. The abandoned hulk stood sentry over the icy waters of Lake Michigan, forgotten until 2011 when it was transferred from the Coast Guard to the Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society. Waugashance is located on the northeast end of Lake Michigan and was built in 1832 as a lightship. The Old Presque Isle Light (1840) also may be haunted, by a caretaker from mid 1900’s, the light was closed long before that, he was just restoring/looking after the grounds. Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society, Detailed Historical Information of Waugoshance, Point aux Barques Lighthouse Preservation Society, Historical Information about Point aux Barques, Haunted Howell and the History of the Old Hillcrest Sanatorium, Thelma, The Ghost of The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. There is no evidence to suggest these stories are true, but over the years, the stories wrapped themselves around Presque Isle and are now part of the lighthouse’s ghostly lore. It was my first book…go easy:). What she does admit though are phantom footsteps on the second floor, receiving a brief flash of a couple looking out the top story window, footsteps in the stairwell, a light blinking strangely in the tower and the feeling that Captain William Robinson and his wife Sarah are still around. This lighthouse is the privately owned property of Dow Chemical Company. The lighthouse in Big Bay, about 25 miles northwest of Marquette in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, opened in August 1896. Located on the shores of Lake Huron, the lighthouse is the sight of unexplainable footsteps that no one is quite sure who is making the sounds. One of the keepers, Bob Hanford, never left when he passed on. St. Clair, Michigan This inn was formerly a boardinghouse that opened in 1836. Location: On Lake Superior, Michigan When built: 1896 The haunting: This stately brick lighthouse might be haunted by the ghost of H. William Prior, who was the facility's first keeper. Helpful Map Tips: Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map. Now known as Lighthouse Bob he still lives on site. With more lighthouses than any other state, some of Michigan’s nearly 120 lights remain home to the restless souls of their former keepers. Big Bay Point Lighthouse. The White River Light Station was built in 1876. Read about a few haunted spots in the Upper Peninsula or haunted locales all over the state! Having lost a leg in battle, the physical demands of tending were, even more taxing for him. Archives go back to 2002. Yet, during his 35 years of service, he is credited with saving more than a dozen lives. Lighthouse keepers back in the day took their job very seriously. Seul Choix Point Lighthouse Gulliver, Michigan Seul Choix Point Lighthouse is rumored to be haunted by former keeper Joseph Willie Townsend, who worked at the lighthouse from 1902 to 1910. West Michigan 6. Based on his research, after John’s long tenure as a lightkeeper, the turnaround rate of employees and keepers was about the same before John. Point aux Barques Lighthouse Preservation Society Historical Information about Point aux Barques. The White River Light Station was built in 1875. Cigar-smoking spirit? Humans might not have a hand in guiding the ships along the lakes nowadays, but the ghosts of past lighthouse keepers are still doing their jobs – even if they are dead. 👻. Jackson, MI– The Grave of “Little Mary” inside the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. This haunted building stands on once a lavish mansion of a lovely couple named Warren and Virginia Randall who had a brutal ending. The High Strageness Factor - Search your podcast app for shows.Â, Contact the OthersideAbout Michigan's Otherside.comCopyright © 2005-2020, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Tragedy at Italian Hall – Michigan’s Worst Christmas Time Disaster, The Lost Griffon – First Ghost Ship of the Great Lakes. If you go to visit Bob please be respectful as he is a valued community member. Once the assistant managed to get out, he looked everywhere but never found John. 3. The meagre lighthouse all in white, haunting the seaboard, as if it were the ghost of an edifice that had once had colour and rotundity, dripped melancholy tears after its late buffeting by the waves. It was up to them to guide ships around dangerous waters and steer them away from danger. Captain James S. Donahue was a wounded Civil War soldier when he was appointed the keeper of the South Haven Lighthouse in 1874. There are a few ghosts who also spend time at the Thunder Bay Inn, a young man downstairs in the restaurant. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Because the haunted happenings were so frequent, they eventually had a hard time staffing the light, so they built a lighthouse at White Shoals and left Waugoshance to the ghost who haunted it, or so that’s what the ghost story says. Drunk one night and looking to play a practical joke on a co-worker, John locked one of his assistants in the lamp room. He died in the upstairs bedroom and was laid in state in the parlor. Be sure to click on this Haunted Places in Michigan Google Map to aid you while driving. The Muskegon Chronicle interviewed Karen McDonnell and she doesn’t claim the lighthouse has any ghosts or extreme paranormal moments around every corner. Everyday chores, such as coal buckets being filled, would also mysteriously happen on its own. 17 Haunted Places In Michigan. And don’t forget the stories of Stannard Rock out in Superior, creepy! Website: www.greatlakelighthouse.com South Haven Lighthouse - South Haven: Captain James S. Donahue When it comes to hauntings of the Great Lakes, this lighthouse is considered to be one of the most popular haunted places to go! “Considering that so much of lighthouse history has been lost, sometimes all that we have is legend,” writes Wes Oleszewski from his book, Lighthouse Adventures. Waugoshance is one of the oldest lights on the lakes and not many historical records exist for it. New Presque Isle Lighthouse and a second light “Old” Presque Isle Lighthouse, are wonderful places to visit in the summer. It is operated by the Gulliver Historical Society, Inc., in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division. Get a taste of the paranormal at these haunted places in Michigan, courtesy of Kat Tedsen and Bev Rydel, authors of “Haunted Travels of Michigan”. Looking for more haunted tales? There doesn’t seem to be any historical evidence of John’s death at the light either. Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did. Your email address will not be published. It was readily … It seems the second floor of the White River Light Station is his stomping grounds in the afterlife and phantom footsteps have been heard occasionally. Karen McDonnell, now retired, was the curator of the White River Light Station Museum for over 20 years. Situated close to Alpena, Michigan, it is said that the Presque Isle Light is one of the scariest lighthouses to visit in the region. Visit these haunted Michigan lighthouses, and decide for yourself if there’s something paranormal at work! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. . William felt he could still do his job no matter what, but the grandson, William Bush, was in charge and the Lighthouse Service in 1919 told Robinson to move on. Big Bay Point Lighthouse. Native Americans and French explorers were traveling in canoes and later small 'Mackinac' boats. He then eventually killed his wife. Because what’s a lighthouse without a ghost? It became an actual lighthouse nineteen years later in 1851. Photo: Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society. Not Many People Realize These 9 Little Known Haunted Places In Michigan Exist. Perhaps that’s why William Robinson, the first keeper of the White River Light Station still watches over the place. Author Frederick Stonehouse writes in his book, Haunted Lakes, that William told his grandson, “I am not going to leave the building” and he died the day he was supposed to leave. He began petitioning the lighthouse service to have a beacon built, and in the interim would hang a lantern on a pole at the end of the channel every night to aid the passing ships. In search of the ghost, Wes did research and went as far as the National Archives to try and find the existence of a woman who fit the description of the apparition that people witness, but nothing was found. This lighthouse sits on the White Lake channel of Lake Michigan. Learn how your comment data is processed. Oleszewski points out the turnaround for offshore lights, especially remote ones like Waugoshance, was always high. Maritime author and avid publisher of Great Lakes ghost stories, Frederick Stonehouse, writes that there are two ghosts residing at “Wobble Shanks.” A legend says a worker was killed during the lights construction and his cries can sometimes be heard. Travel Tips For Planning Your Pure Michigan Vacation, Ski Safe, Stay Safe at Shanty Creek Resort, Detroit Shopping Guide: Support Small Businesses in Pure Michigan, Every Day, Shop Small: 6 Can't-Miss Metro Detroit Gift Ideas, Shop Local Gift Ideas from Across Michigan, Freshwater Snorkeling in Michigan: Your Ultimate Guide, Things to Do Near Sleeping Bear Dunes: The Ultimate Pure Michigan Guide, Winter In The Central Upper Peninsula: A Pure Michigan Guide, Go On A Michigan Coffee Adventure In The Great Lakes Bay Region, Spend a Night at These Historic Hotels in Michigan, Things to Do at Isle Royale National Park: The Ultimate Pure Michigan Guide, Travel Michigan Virtually While Planning Your Vacation, Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities in Michigan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Things fell apart when Warren lost one of his legs in an accident replacing it with a wooden leg. After his disappearance, strange things started to happen around the lighthouse. Some may argue that the White River Light Station in Whitehall might never have been built had it not been for Captain William Robinson, who moved to the area in the 1860s with his wife, Sarah, and seven of their eventual 13 children. For schedules and rates for this tour, visit their website at www.sheplerswww.com, Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society Detailed Historical Information of Waugoshance. Waugoshance Shoal Lighthouse near Mackinaw City remains one of Michigan’s most endangered lighthouses...with increasingly high water levels affecting this 170 year old structure. http://goo.gl/yLIHMX Today we go to four different lighthouses, included the haunted lighthouse of Presque Isle Michigan. According to maritime historian Wes Oleszewski, the Waugoshance ghost story is always the first told by lighthouse enthusiasts and historians. The Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse is located in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, in the town of Gulliver, MI. Required fields are marked *. Visit their website for museum hours. Their collection of photo, video, and audio evidence is the envy of any haunted property, but they display it with respect. The photo spooked him out seeing he had always considered himself of the “scientific” sort. Haunted or not, it’s a beautiful lighthouse, and I highly recommend visiting it near the town of Gulliver on Lake Michigan. - Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit Today's post explores the haunted lighthouses of Michigan, a state surrounded by five beautiful Great Lakes.… The 78-foot lighthouse … I drove up a few weeks ago and as a sensitive I felt a primal magnetism to the place. Rather than continue to provoke the spirit of a dead keeper, new lighthouses were built and this tower was left empty and alone on Lake Michigan. Ghostly Talk Podcast Find new shows on the Ghostly Talk website or use your favorite podcast app to listen. Isolation and loneliness are common themes in lighthouse ghost stories and this tale is the Michigan version of The Shining . Sources Oleszewski, Wes. Lighthouse Adventures: Heroes, Haunts & Havoc On The Great Lakes. The lighthouse was in fact, outdated and a new one was badly needed. The story you gave is from the New Presque Isle Light (built 1870 so its not that new). The beautiful White River Light Station graces the cover of my first book. Out of the two range lights in Michigan, this is the only structure that is still standing. The Michigan Maritime Museum uses the building as an archive and research facility, and many have reported sounds they attribute to Donahue. Simply go to 672 North West Gulliver Lake Road in Gulliver Michigan, or call 906-283-3183 to schedule your visit to this haunted lighthouse. Whether you’ve heard of these creepy sites or not, one thing is for sure: your skin is about to crawl. Anyways the area is great to visit, Thunder Bay is one of ‘Graveyard of the Lakes’ and has the underwater preserve for sunken lakeboats…the whole area has a lot of history, Your email address will not be published. Visit the property. Halloween is long over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop being spooked. When the light was constructed and lit in 1875, the Robinsons were appointed the first keepers. It is privately owned and operated as a B and B right now but anyone can check out the grounds during day hours. According to Big Bay Point Lighthouse History by Jeff and Linda Gamble, "Prior was despondent after the death of his … ; We created this Haunted Places in MI Interactive Map to help you pinpoint scary, abandoned attractions, houses and spots. Thanks for sharing! If a lightkeeper didn’t do his or her job correctly, lives could be lost. Sources Stonehouse, Frederick. Great Lakes Lighthouse Tales. To learn more about visiting this historic lighthouse, visit the links below. something to remember about Presque Isle Light is..theres really two lighthouses at Thunder Bay (Alpena) . Click on the icons for more info, addresses and photos of the stops. Yet, he and Sarah are still said to be the permanent residents of the home. Today, the keeper’s residence sits perched atop a bluff overlooking the Black River and out to Lake Michigan and the 35-foot red tower. Gwinn, MI: Avery Color Studios, 1999. Photo courtesy of Chris Light. As for them building another lighthouse to avoid the ghosts? Seul Choix Lighthouse, Gulliver, Michigan Overlooking Lake Michigan from Seul Choix Point, this 78-foot tower went into service in 1892. Or extreme paranormal moments around every corner learning about just a few haunted spots the... By the Gulliver Historical Society, Inc., in the Upper Peninsula or haunted locales All over the state Ferry... 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