Charity Island Light
Historic deteriorated Charity Island Light (before the rebuilding)
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| Location | Big Charity Island, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 44°01′53″N 83°26′08″W / 44.03139°N 83.43556°WCoordinates: 44°01′53″N 83°26′08″W / 44.03139°N 83.43556°W |
| Year first constructed | 1857 |
| Year first lit | 1857 |
| Deactivated | 1939 |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone |
| Markings / pattern | White with black lantern |
| Height | 45 feet (14 m) |
| Focal height | 45 feet (14 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | removed |
| Range | 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) |
| ARLHS number | USA-943 |
Charity Island Light is a lighthouse on Big Charity Island in Lake Huron just off the coast of Au Gres, Northern Michigan.
In 1838, the region was the source of lumber being removed from Lower Michigan via the rivers that enter the lower end of Saginaw Bay. The shoals around Charity Island were a major source of problems, posing an obstacle to lumber vessels. It was not until 1856, however, that funds were allocated to establish a light on the island.
The octagonal cast iron lantern displayed a fixed white Fourth Order Fresnel lens light which was constructed in 1857 with a 39-foot (12 m) tower which provided a 13-nautical-mile (24 km; 15 mi) range of visibility. The Lighthouse Board was in the process of constructing a set of lights up and down the coast, and 13 nautical miles was considered adequate both to keep boats off the island and to navigate from one light to the next.
It was originally equipped with a white, Fourth Order Fresnel lens. Fourth order Fresnel lenses were 28 inches (710 mm), with a focal length of 9.8 inches (250 mm), and used 5 ounces (140 g) of oil per hour. Although a lens in that configuration had a range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi), the Charity Island lens had a range of 13 nautical miles. In 1900, an acetylene lens replaced the 4th order lens. The lights characteristic changed from steady white light to a flashing light, at 10 second intervals. "Charity Island lighthouse was the first on the Great Lakes to receive such a light
The light was fully automated in 1900.
The original lighthouse keeper’s quarters was a wood duplex; attached by a walkway was the tower. In 1907, the tower was extended to 45 feet (14 m) and the dwelling gained a second story. In 1917 the site was the first to be automated with an acetylene lamp.
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