The Abandoned Waugoshance Lighthouse: Emmet County, Michigan

One of Michigan's quirkiest abandoned places is the Waugoshance Lighthouse in Emmet County, just off Waugoshance Island, west of Wilderness State Park.

The lighthouse sits all alone way out in water only around 12 feet deep. It was constructed in 1851 and operated until 1912 after guiding the way for many ships and boats. Area locals consider this lone structure as sort of a tombstone, marking an area where many ships ran aground and sank in the Straits of Mackinac.

During the 1940's, this poor old lighthouse was used by the US Navy for World War 2 bombing & target practices. Even so, it withstood all the abuse and still stands, deteriorated, unowned and ramshackle. Nowadays, people paddle, row and motorboat out to the old lighthouse for closer looks, photos and video.

If it's lasted almost 170 years, then it's almost sure it'll be around long enough for you to visit sometime this summer, or any other time.

ALWAYS TREAT ABANDONED, HISTORICAL STRUCTURES WITH COURTESY AND RESPECT. HIGH RISK! IF YOU PLAN TO VISIT, DO SO WITH CAUTION.

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