Charity Island - The Limestone & the Lighthouse: Arenac County

Charity Island was formed out of limestone over 350 million years ago when Michigan was covered by an ocean. That water was packed with prehistoric, miniscule creatures that made their shells from the ocean waters. Upon dying, the shells were deposited on the ocean floor and over a long period of time turned into the limestone that currently makes up Charity Island.

Native American Indians made many of their tools and weapons from this stone for over 2,000 years.....then the Europeans arrived and ruined everything. The Indians were driven out so the French could move in. La Salle came here in 1679 aboard the first vessel to sail Lake Huron, the Le Griffon. He learned how to grow vegetables from the Indians, and then claimed the island for France.

Charity Island was handed over to the British in 1763 and finally became United States property in 1805. When Michigan became a State in 1837, Charity Island came along for the ride.

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A lighthouse was constructed in 1857, and later in 1917 became one of the first Great Lakes automated lighthouses.

This lighthouse was sadly put out of commission when another, the Gravelly Shoals Lighthouse, began shining in 1939. Today, the island is preserved as part of Michigan’s maritime history and a unique tourist destination.

The gallery below features images of Charity Island and the lighthouse, courtesy of Restless Viking...