Official Website of the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society

DeTour Reef Light
Preservation Society

Since 1847, a lighthouse has been located at DeTour Passage at the northwestern head of Lake Huron. Originally placed on shore at Point DeTour, the light was moved off shore to DeTour Reef in 1931. The light marks the mouth of the St. Mary's River, which connects Lake Huron to Lake Superior. It is well known to ship captains and pleasure boaters who sail the upper Great Lakes. For generations the light at DeTour Passage has provided a beacon for those vessels seeking the "Gateway to Superior."

Rising 83' above water with its 63' tall Classic-Revival-style architect, this lighthouse has been a fixture in Michigan's Upper Peninsula since 1931. DeTour Reef Light stands as a testament to the importance of shipping in the region's political, economic and social history. In 1998 DeTour Reef Lighthouse was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 1998 list of America's Most Endangered Historic Places, as the example lighthouse for Michigan's historic lighthouses.
According to the U. S. Coast Guard officials, advances in aids to navigation technology have made DeTour Reef Lighthouse obsolete. Government regulations, however, do allow for private groups to obtain long term leases on such excess property for the purpose of preservation.

In January 1998, civic leaders from DeTour Village and Drummond Island, Michigan, met to form the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society, a non-profit (501C3) organization. The purpose of the society is to establish, support and promote efforts in the preservation and restoration of the DeTour Reef Lighthouse; to achieve the safekeeping of the building, artifacts and records; to educate and inform the public on its history; and to raise awareness about the importance of volunteers in maintaining and protecting the DeTour Reef Lighthouse for all present and future generations.