The 150-year-old rusty sentinel of Manitou Island

The rusty skeleton of Manitou Island Light Station stands like an old-time guard over Lake Superior, a silent sentinel from a bygone era. This lighthouse, built in 1850, is one of the oldest iron skeletal light towers on the Great Lakes, found on Manitou Island. In 1984, it got listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 2004, it was acquired by the Keweenaw Land Trust. Now, it's open for the public to camp, rock hunt, go for a hike, or simply take in the sights.

The question is, what makes it so special? Let's delve into its history. The first lighthouse on Manitou Island was a rubble-stone tower erected in 1850. In 1861, a new light took its place (the keeper's house was built during the same year). A fog signal was added in 1871, buildings for these mechanisms came along in 1875. Refurbishing the signals occurred in 1899. In 1895, an oil house was added to the mix (not in 1901 as previously misstated). Automation came to the light in 1978, and it's still serving as a useful navigational aid.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons