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Ghostly Lights
 

By Dianna Stampfler


Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, and nearly two dozen of these 117 beacons are rumored to be haunted, most by dedicated light keepers or members of their families. Following are a few stories that wash upon their shores.

White River Light Station
William Robinson was the first keeper at the White River Light Station in Whitehall, a position he held for 44 years – long after his beloved wife Sara passed. In 1919, an aging Robinson was forced out of duty by the Lighthouse Service. The day before he was to vacate the light, he died in his sleep. It is said that neither Bill, nor Sara, has ever left the light.

Karen McDonnell, the current resident keeper at White River Light Station Museum, has reported several ghostly occurrences during her nearly 20 years of service. She frequently hears footsteps in the upstairs bedrooms, which now house historical artifacts from the area’s shipping and lumbering era. She believes it is Robinson checking in on his cherished beacon.

There have also been reports of Sara’s ghost. Shortly after uncovering a portrait of Sara, and hanging it proudly in the museum, Karen said the strangest thing happened. She had made her way upstairs to dust the museum display cases when her phone rang. She set her dusting supplies down and went off to answer the phone. Upon returning a short time later, Karen says the display case was void of dust and the cloth and spray were sitting on the opposite side from where she left them. Karen said it was widely known throughout the community that Sara was a meticulous housekeeper, so her housekeeping antics were not that unusual.

Big Bay Pointe Lighthouse
The ghost that haunts Big Bay Pointe Lighthouse could be that of former keeper William Pryor, who was known around town as a workaholic. In 1900, the keeper’s son was working as an assistant keeper when he fell and injured his leg. Months later when his father finally took him to the doctor, it proved to be too late: Gangrene had set in, resulting in the son’s death. Pryor became despondent after his son’s death and disappeared a few days later, during which time he took his own life.
Owners of the lighthouse, which now operates as a bed-and-breakfast, have heard kitchen cupboards and doors banging in the night, have had lights turned off when no one is in the room and have reported water running in the shower when guests are not around. There have even been sightings of a red-headed man dressed in a keeper’s uniform walking the grounds of the light station. Coincidentally, Pryor had red hair.
Presque Isle Lights
The Old and New Presque Isle Lights, north of Alpena, are both rumored to be haunted.
Old Presque Isle Light (circa 1840) mysteriously shines on occasion, even though the light was decommissioned in 1871. George and Lorraine Parris moved in to the house as caretakers in 1977 and things were quiet until shortly after George’s death in 1992 – when the light began to shine unexplainably. Extreme measures were taken to try to block the mysterious light, including covering the tower windows with black garbage bags and Army blankets, but to no avail. The light has been seen by many passersby, both on land and on water. Even the Coast Guard has investigated, but can find no answer as to the source of the light. Locals believe it is George’s ghost who continues to reactivate the light.
Just down the road, the New Presque Isle Light (circa 1871) is said to be haunted by the ghost of the lighthouse keeper’s wife. As the legend goes, the keeper locked his wife in the tower when he’d head off to town to visit his mistress. The wife eventually went mad and was killed by her husband and buried in a tunnel beneath the station grounds. Many have reported hearing sobbing, crying and moaning coming from the tower, especially late at night.
For more about Michigan’s lighthouses – haunted or otherwise – visit the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association at www.gllka.com

Dianna Stampfler is a member of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association and the Historical Society of Michigan. She has researched Michigan’s lighthouse ghost stories for nearly 10 years.



Ghostly Beacons
The following light stations are swathed in rumors and stories.

St. Joseph Keeper's Residence
South Haven Keeper's Residence
White River Light Station*
South Manitou Island*
Grand Traverse Lighthouse*
Beaver Head Island Light*
Squaw Island Light
St. Helena Island Light*
Waugoshance Shoal Light
Seul Choix Point Light*
Sand Pointe Lighthouse*
Eagle Harbor Light
Rock of Ages
Big Bay Point Lighthouse B&B
Crisp Pointe Lighthouse
Point Iroquois
Old Presque Isle*
New Presque Isle*
Thunder Bay Island Light
Sturgeon Bay Light
Tawas Point Light
Saginaw River Range Light
Point aux Barques

*Open for tours


Books Of Interest

By Anne Hivert-Carthew
“Ghostly Lights: Great Lakes Lighthouse Tales of Terror”
“Ghostly Lights Return: More Great Lakes Lighthouse Fiends and Phantoms”

By Frederick Stonehouse
“Haunted Lakes: Great Lakes Ghost Stories, Superstitions and Sea Serpents”
“Haunted Lakes II: More Great Lakes Ghost Stories”


Video/DVD
“True Lighthouse Hauntings”
By Keweenaw Video Productions
Script written and narrated by Frederick Stonehouse
www.greatlakesfreighters.com/videos/truelighthousehauntings.html