Huron Islands Wilderness

Eight small islands, totaling 147 acres, make up the Huron National Wildlife Refuge. It is located just three miles off the south shore of Lake Superior in Marquette County, Michigan. Huron National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1905 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife, especially the herring gull, which has large nesting colonies on the islands. These early, bird sanctuaries were vital for a number of species of birds, including the herring gull, whose populations had been drastically reduced by plume hunters and egg collectors in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Huron National Wildlife Refuge was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife, especially the herring gull, which has large nesting colonies on the islands. These bird sanctuaries were vital for a number of species of birds, including the herring gull, whose populations had been drastically reduced by plume hunters and egg collectors in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Location

The islands are located 3 miles off of the south shore of Lake Superior and 18 miles east of the Keweenaw Peninsula.  46 57’44.14″ N  87 59’56.05″ W
Latitude: 46.9633
Longitude: -87.9983

Read More:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: About the Refuge, Wildlife, Visit
Wikipedia: Huron Islands
Huron Islands Wilderness, at Wilderness Connect
Huron Islands – Keweenaw Geoheritage
Huron National Wildlife Refuge. stateparks.com

The Lighthouse

1891 photograph showing lighthouse and twin steam whistles
1891 photograph showing lighthouse and twin steam whistles Photograph courtesy National Archives

Huron Island Lighthouse. Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy
Huron Island Light Station 
Huron Island Lighthouse – Lighthousefriends.com
Huron Island Lighthouse – Travel Marquette
Huron Island Lighthouse USFWS PDF

Huron Island Lighthouse in 1950
Huron Island Lighthouse in 1950 Photograph courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Lighthouse
photo by Jim Lindholm

Lighthouse Restoration

Efforts to Save Huron Island Light. lighthousedigest.com
Story appeared in the October 1999 edition of Lighthouse Digest

Marquette Underwater Preserve – Huron Island Unit Sites

Site name Type Depth (ft) Depth (m) Coordinates
Arctic Wooden Sidewheel Steamer 5–100 1.5–30.5 d46°57.74′N
87°59.85′W
George Nester Wooden Schooner-Barge 20–100 6.1–30.5 46°57.99′N 88°00.20′W
Southwest Wooden Schooner 100 30 46°56.42′N 87°56.11′W
Launch Huron Island Wooden Gas Launch 15 4.6 46°56.42′N 87°56.11′W/a>