Fort Gratiot Light

Fort Gratiot Light
LocationOmar and Garfield Sts., Port Huron, Michigan
Coordinates43°0′22.7″N 82°25′20.9″W / 43.006306°N 82.422472°W / 43.006306; -82.422472
Tower
Constructed1825
FoundationDressed stone and timber
ConstructionBrick
Automated1933
Height85 feet (26 m)
ShapeFrustum of a cone attached to workroom
MarkingsWhite
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place, Michigan state historic site 
Fog signalStation will give available information on fog conditions in upper river by radiotelephone when requested, (156.80 MHz). Standby light of reduced intensity lighted throughout 24 hours.
Light
First lit1825
Focal height82 feet (25 m)
LensFourth-order Fresnel lens (original), DCB-224 Carlisle & Finch Aerobeacon (current)
Range18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
CharacteristicFl green 6 seconds
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
Undated USCG image
Arealess than one acre
ArchitectLyon, Lucius; Moors, J.
NRHP reference No.76001975
Added to NRHPJuly 30, 1976

Fort Gratiot Light /ˈɡræʃɪt/, the first lighthouse in the state of Michigan, was constructed north of Fort Gratiot in 1825 by Lucius Lyon, who later became one of Michigan's first U.S. Senators.

The Fort Gratiot Light marks the entrance to the St. Clair River from Lake Huron (going south) in the southern portion of Michigan's Thumb. The light is still active, but the federal government transferred ownership to St. Clair County Parks and Recreation (St. Clair County PARC) in 2010. In 2012, St. Clair County PARC partnered with the Port Huron Museums to provide tours and lighthouse tower climbs to the public, which continue to be offered on a seasonal basis for a small fee. It is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Michigan. There is also a public beach and park on the property, known as Lighthouse Beach.

It is across the river from Point Edward Front Range Light.