Happy National Lighthouse Day from the Portage River Light in Jacobsville, Michigan!

Portage River Lighthouse and Keepers Cottage in Jacobsville, Michigan

From our perch here on the Keweenaw Peninsula, where Lake Superior meets the Keweenaw Bay, I wanted to share an update with all of you who follow our restoration adventures.

When we purchased the lighthouse in the summer of 2022, we knew we were taking on a labor of love. Our mission is to preserve these walls and this tower while protecting a legacy that has stood watch for more than 150 years. Like many historic lighthouses, ours needs time, care, and resources before it can fully welcome visitors again.

Two years in the making: buried electric!

This summer, we completed one of our biggest projects yet. We replaced outdated electrical service with a modern, buried system powerful enough to handle necessities like HVAC, refrigeration, and even a microwave running at the same time as the toaster. These are luxuries the keepers of old never dreamed of. Given how remote we are, reliable power is a lifeline, especially in our long Keweenaw winters. As part of the upgrade, we also tied in a whole-house generator to keep the light burning no matter the weather.

From a visitor’s perspective, this change also means something beautiful. There are no longer power lines in the way of your perfect photo of the keeper’s cottage and tower or your view of the historic carriage shed. Speaking of the carriage shed, it will soon be receiving a lot of attention, including fresh paint, repairs to its weathered cedar siding, and more historically appropriate doors.

Portage River Guest Cottage, Lighthouse, Keepers Cottage, Carriage Shed in Jacobsville, Michigan

What is next?

Later this year, if the weather cooperates, we will begin restoring the keeper’s cottage windows to historically accurate, double-hung six-pane designs in their original locations. It is a big job that also involves careful brickwork to repair the scars left behind when the originals were removed. We have salvaged as much matching brick as possible to ensure the restoration looks authentic.

Beyond that, there is a full interior renovation planned for the keeper’s cottage, a revamp of the addition, and many other projects that I will share in future updates. Every change is made with one goal in mind: to honor the history of this property while making it more enjoyable for future generations of visitors.

A quick note for our visitors.

The Portage River Lighthouse is both a business and a private property that is currently undergoing restoration. This is why it is not open for regular tours. For now, public access is limited to our gravel viewing area along the fence. The best way to see the lighthouse is from the water, and our friends at Keweenaw Boat Tours offer fantastic views during the season.

For a similar up-close lighthouse experience during summer months, I also recommend visiting the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, which is open seasonally from late June through September.

We will continue sharing restoration progress, Open House dates, and historic tidbits at www.portageriverlighthouse.com. Thank you for celebrating National Lighthouse Day with us. Here is to preserving the light for another 150 years. Get Your Lighthouse Passport Stamp

If you are collecting lighthouse passport stamps, you can still get your Portage River Lighthouse stamp by mail. Visit https://www.portageriverlighthouse.com/donate and be sure to include your mailing address when you request it. We are always happy to send one to fellow lighthouse lovers.