The story of Michigan City’s Light Station begins in 1835 when Isaac C. Elston, founder of Michigan City, knowing that aids to navigation would be needed, deeded to the US Government on June 14, 1835, a tract of land running from the bend in Trail Creek to the lake for the purpose of constructing a lighthouse.

The first light was a “post light”(a light on a tall post) located 100 feet west of the present lighthouse. In 1837, Jeremy Hixon, Sr. and Jr., under contract to the US Government, built the first lighthouse consisting of a keepers dwelling with a 40 foot high whitewashed tower topped with a lantern to house the light. An early writing describes it

A story and a half house, plastered on the outside and dazzling in its whiteness, more of a portico than a veranda ornamented the front and was covered with trailing vines. It fronted south and was surrounded by a grove of small oaks on the west. The well-kept lawn was dotted with shrubbery, flowers, and enclosed by a low rustic fence, and from a little wicket gate led a white graveled walk to the residence.

The first keeper was Edmund B. Harrison, appointed on December 9, 1837, at an annual salary of $350. He was followed by Mrs. Harriet C. Towner and John M. Clarkson.

As the shipping of fish, grain, and lumber increased, a brighter light was needed to guide ships. In 1858, the US Government constructed a lighthouse using Joliet stone for the foundation and Milwaukee brick for the superstructure. the date 1858 can still be seen on the south wall. On the north end of the lighthouse was a lantern which housed a fixed light with a Fresnel lens of the 5th order which could be seen for 15 miles. Sperm oil fueled the beacon. Mr. Clarkson served as the first keeper of the new light until replaced by Miss Harriet Colfax, cousin of Vice President Schuyler Colfax under President Ulysses S. Grant. She served 43 years, retiring at age 80 in 1904. She was followed by keepers Thomas Armstrong, Philip Sheridan, and Walter Donovan.

The Old Lighthouse Museum has two Fresnel lens on display: a 4th Order Lens (left) and the 5th Order Lens (right) that marked the entrance of the harbor since 1858.

On November 20, 1871, the first beacon light was installed on the east pier and this light too had to be maintained by the keeper. Earliest known journals f the lighthouse keeper began in 1872 and from this record we find “Commenced using kerosene at the Beason, July 16, 1880.” The beacon light which has been moved to the west pier was destroyed in a storm in 1886. Starting in 1887 the light atop the lighthouse was kept lit year round rather than only during the shipping season from April to November. In all kinds of weather the lighthouse keepers had to climb to the lanterns twice each night (at dusk and midnight) to trim the wick, polish the reflectors, and recharge the light with lard oil or kerosene. In cold weather, the lard would sometimes congeal before reaching the light and this meant a return trip after it was reheated. At daybreak, the process was repeated and the light was extinguished. So diligently did the keepers preform their tasks, with many tales of bravery and heroism, that the Michigan City Lighthouse became known on the Great Lakes as “Old Faithful.”

In 2018, the Old Lighthouse Museum was repainted in its original 1904 colors: Colony Buff (SW 7723) and Kale Green (SW 6460).

The dwelling which served as the keepers living quarters was remolded in 1904 and enlarged by adding two rooms to each floor on the north side. This resulted in a duplex apartments, the keeper and his family using all three floors on the east and the assistant keeper those on the west. October 1904 the lantern was moved to the new fog-signal lighthouse at the entrance of Michigan City’s harbor where the French-made Fresnel lens from the 1858 lighthouse was used until 1982.

Keepers continued to service the lights and the fog signal which was installed in 1905. In 1933 the light on the east pier was electrified. On July 1, 1939, the Coast Guard took over the Lighthouse Service and upon the death of Keeper Donovan in August 1940, the assumed charge of the light.

Assistant keepers who served here over the years were: Abigail Coit, Solomon Hayward, Mrs. Julia Ebart, Mrs. Katy Reilly, Talcott Miller, Horatio James, George Sheridan, Edward Lettau, Edward Graves, Albert Speelman, Fred Dykerman, Howard Kimble, Thomas Martin, and Ralph Moore.

Today, the light is still used as an aid to navigation, but the LED light is fully automated.

A different lighthouse keeper emerged in the contemporary era: the preservationists. By 1960, the US Government declared the Old Lighthouse government surplus and Michigan City bought the structure in 1963. On March 9, 1965 the Michigan City Historical Society entered into lease agreement to restore it and establish a museum. A replica of the lantern tower was placed on the roof in 1973.

The Old Lighthouse Museum opened on June 9, 1973.

In 1974, the Old Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historical Places because of its historical significant architecture and association with lake transportation. The Pierhead Light was added to the Register in 1988 during the campaign to restore the structure. The Lantern Room was made accessible in 2007. These projects were made possible by the Questers, the Hoosier Lighthouse Club, the Lake Michigan Coastal Program, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Interested in Becoming a Volunteer?

The Old Lighthouse Museum relies on a dedicated team of volunteer docents who help welcome visitors, assist in the gift shop, and operate the sales system during business hours. If you enjoy local history, meeting new people, and supporting your community, we would be glad to hear from you.

Volunteers may help greet guests, assist in the gift shop, or participate in special projects around the museum. Outdoor projects such as yard cleaning and caring for flowers are always appreciated. If you are a handyman or enjoy small repair projects, we often need help with painting, light maintenance, and fixing up various areas of the museum.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us for more information or to be added to our volunteer list.