While staying near Indiana Dunes National Park, we took a day trip to Michigan City, Indiana, to explore one of the area’s most fascinating historic sites- the Old Lighthouse Museum. Sitting just a short drive from the dunes, this charming museum tells the story of the city’s maritime past, the keepers who tended the light, and the importance of the harbor to the Great Lakes shipping industry.
After touring the museum, we walked down to Washington Park Beach and out onto the pier to see the East Pierhead Lighthouse up close. With its historic catwalk still standing thanks to the efforts of local preservationists, it’s a picture-perfect spot on Lake Michigan and a great place to reflect on the area’s deep connection to the water.
If you’re looking for more things to do in the area, be sure to check out my guide to 10 Things to Do Near Indiana Dunes, which includes the Old Lighthouse Museum and plenty of other fun stops nearby!
A Look Back at the History of the Old Lighthouse
Michigan City’s Old Lighthouse has seen a lot over the years- shipwrecks, storms, and even a few remarkable women keeping the light shining. It all started in 1835, when the city’s founder deeded a plot of land to the U.S. government for the purpose of building a lighthouse. At first, the setup was pretty simple, just a light perched on a tall post to help guide ships in. But as Michigan City grew, so did the need for something more substantial.
By 1837, the first real lighthouse was built. It had a 40-foot tower with a lantern at the top and living quarters for the keeper. Edmund Harrison was the first to take on the role, earning a whopping $350 a year for keeping the light burning. After him came Harriet Towner, and then John Clarkson, who would go on to oversee the next big upgrade.
With shipping traffic increasing, the government decided in 1858 that a stronger light was needed. Enter the new lighthouse, made of Joliet stone and Milwaukee brick. This one had a 5th-order Fresnel lens, which gave off a steady beam visible 15 miles out into Lake Michigan. Clarkson was the first keeper here, but one of the most notable figures to hold the position was Harriet Colfax, who took over in 1861 and kept the light burning for an incredible 43 years, retiring at age 80. Fun fact: Harriet was the cousin of Schuyler Colfax, who later became Vice President of the United States.
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By 1887, the lighthouse was operating year-round instead of just during the shipping season, which meant keepers had a tough job. Twice a night, once at dusk and again at midnight, they had to climb up to the lantern room to trim the wick, polish the reflectors, and refill the light with oil or kerosene. In 1904, the living quarters were remodeled and expanded, but big changes were coming. That same year, the lantern was moved to a new fog-signal lighthouse at the harbor entrance, where it continued to shine until 1982.
The Coast Guard took over lighthouse operations in 1939, and after the last keeper, Mr. Donovan, passed away in 1940, they officially took charge of the light. By 1960, the government declared the lighthouse surplus property, and Michigan City stepped in to purchase it in 1963. Two years later, the Michigan City Historical Society began restoring it, and in 1973, the Old Lighthouse Museum officially opened. The following year, it earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, cementing its place in maritime history.
Today, the Old Lighthouse Museum offers a glimpse into what life was like for keepers who tended the light through harsh winters, foggy nights, and long, lonely shifts. It stands as a reminder of Michigan City’s deep connection to Lake Michigan and the vital role lighthouses played in keeping sailors safe.
Exploring the Museum
Exploring the Grounds of the Old Lighthouse Museum
Before you even step inside the Old Lighthouse Museum, there’s plenty of history waiting for you right on the lawn. Scattered around the grounds are artifacts that tell the story of Michigan City’s maritime past, local industries, and even a bit of political history. Here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss:
You’ll find a cornerstone from the Indiana State Prison, which stood from 1860 to 2000, including bars from Guard Tower #1. If you’re interested in maritime history, the museum lawn has you covered. Several anchors and ship parts are on display, giving visitors a glimpse into the massive vessels that once sailed Lake Michigan. There are also relics from local industries, including pieces from a wheel foundry, showcasing the city’s industrial past.
The Hutchinson Fountain
One of the most eye-catching features on the lawn is the Hutchinson Fountain, a beautifully restored red Missouri granite drinking fountain with a fascinating past. It was originally presented to Michigan City in 1909 in memory of William Hutchinson, a former mayor and state senator. Back in the day, it had a large trough for horses, smaller basins for birds and dogs, and even a drinking fountain for people on the back-hence the inscription “for man, beast, and bird.”
The fountain was originally built by the Mt. Airy Stone Co., using labor from the Indiana State Prison, where prisoners cut stone for monuments and tombstones. As horses became less common, the fountain was moved, neglected, and even vandalized before being put into storage for 20 years. Thankfully, it was restored and placed here at the lighthouse, where it now stands as a tribute to both the city’s history and the people who once relied on it.
The SS Eastland Disaster Marker
One of the most somber and important artifacts outside the museum is the Eastland Marker, which commemorates the tragic SS Eastland disaster of 1915. The Eastland was a Great Lakes excursion ship that was set to travel from Chicago to Michigan City when it capsized in the Chicago River, killing 844 people- most of them families on a summer outing. It remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in American history, and this marker serves as a reminder of the lives lost that day.
Step Inside the Old Lighthouse Museum
Once you step through the doors of the Old Lighthouse Museum, you’re immediately surrounded by history- some of it expected, some of it surprising. It’s not just about the lighthouse itself (though there’s plenty of that!); the museum also tells the broader story of Michigan City, from its shipping and railroad days to its unexpected connection to Abraham Lincoln.
Right inside the entrance, you’re greeted by a Fresnel lens, the type of beacon that helped guide ships safely into the harbor for decades. This particular lens once shined from the 1904 fog-signal lighthouse at the harbor entrance, where it was in use until 1982. If you’ve never seen one up close, it’s a fascinating piece of engineering, designed to make the light visible from miles away.
Much of the museum focuses on Michigan City’s connection to the Great Lakes. You’ll find model boats, ship equipment, and artifacts from the local shipping industry, showing how vital the lake was for transportation and trade. The museum also covers railroad history, since Michigan City was an important stop along major rail lines. The town even played a role in military history, which you can learn about in dedicated exhibits.
One of the most unique local artifacts? Ball jars (yes, the famous mason jars) made using sand from Hoosier Slide. If you’re not familiar, Hoosier Slide was a massive 200-foot sand dune that once stood near Michigan City. Over time, the sand was mined and shipped off for glassmaking, particularly for Ball Corporation’s blue-tinted canning jars. Today, the dune is completely gone, but the jars remain a cool reminder of the area’s industrial past.
A Peek into Lighthouse Life
Ever wondered what it was like to live in a lighthouse? The museum has preserved a keeper’s bedroom, set up just as it would have looked back in the day. Life as a lighthouse keeper wasn’t easy- long nights tending the light, harsh weather, and the constant responsibility of keeping ships safe. This exhibit gives you a small glimpse into that world.
One of the best parts of visiting the museum is that you can climb up the old lighthouse tower! The stairs take you up to where the beacon once shined, and from the top, you get an incredible view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area. It’s a must-do if you want to see the city from a lighthouse keeper’s perspective.
Of Course, There’s a Lincoln Display
At this point, we’ve learned that there is always something about Abraham Lincoln wherever we go- and the Old Lighthouse Museum is no exception! Michigan City’s connection to Lincoln is because his funeral train passed through here in 1865 on its way to Springfield, Illinois. The museum has a small exhibit dedicated to this event, because, well… there’s always Lincoln!
How to Visit the Old Lighthouse Museum
100 Heisman Harbor, Michigan City, IN 46360
https://www.mchistorical.org/
The Old Lighthouse Museum is open April 2-October 31 on Wednesday-Sunday 1-4pm.
Adults are $10, Kids aged 14 and under are free, and military/police/fire are free with service ID.
Walking to the Pierhead Lighthouse & Washington Park Beach
After exploring the Old Lighthouse Museum, we took a walk over to Washington Park Beach and the Michigan City East Pierhead Lighthouse- a must-do if you’re visiting the area. The pier and beach are just a short stroll away, and they offer some of the best views in town, not to mention a fascinating story of preservation and community effort.
The Pierhead Lighthouse & Its Historic Catwalk
The Michigan City East Pierhead Lighthouse is the one you’ve probably seen in postcards or travel guides. Built in 1904, it replaced the old lighthouse’s beacon and has been guiding ships into the harbor ever since. The lighthouse stands at the end of a long pier, stretching out into Lake Michigan, and is still an active aid to navigation.
One of the most unique features of this lighthouse is its catwalk, a narrow, elevated walkway that runs alongside the pier. The catwalk was once essential for lighthouse keepers, who had to walk out twice a night, no matter the weather, to tend the light. Picture them braving high winds, waves crashing against the pier, just to keep ships safe on the lake!
This lighthouse and its catwalk almost didn’t survive. By the 1990s, the lighthouse was no longer needed in the same way, and like many historic structures, it faced an uncertain future. The U.S. Coast Guard eventually decommissioned the lighthouse, and for a while, it looked like the catwalk would be removed altogether.
But Michigan City wasn’t about to let that happen. Locals fought hard to save the lighthouse and catwalk, rallying support to preserve these iconic landmarks. In 1995, the lighthouse was transferred to the city, and in 2016, the catwalk was restored thanks to fundraising efforts and strong community advocacy.
Walking to the Lighthouse
The walk out to the lighthouse takes you along Washington Park Beach, one of Michigan City’s most popular spots. It’s a wide, sandy beach with great views of the lake, the Chicago skyline on clear days, and, of course, the lighthouse at the end of the pier. Whether you want to take a swim, relax on the sand, or watch the sunset, it’s a beautiful spot to unwind after exploring the museum.
The day we visited, we didn’t make it all the way out to the lighthouse because the wind was absolutely wild that day. Just walking on the beach to the pier was a struggle. The wind felt like it was blowing us back and the sand it whipped up stung our eyes and filled our noses. Seeing the giant waves crashing over the pier really gives you an impression of how harrowing keeping the light would have been.
Walking out on the pier, you really get a sense of how important these structures were, and still are, to the city. The lighthouse, the catwalk, and the beach all tell a story of Michigan City’s deep connection to Lake Michigan, its maritime history, and the people who fought to preserve it.
Old Lighthouse Museum Reading List
If you’re fascinated by lighthouses, Great Lakes history, or Indiana’s past, this reading list is for you! We’ve gathered books covering Michigan City history, lighthouses around Lake Michigan and beyond, the Lincoln funeral train, and more. Whether you’re an adult diving into detailed history or a child captivated by lighthouse tales, there’s something here for everyone. This list is also a great resource for homeschooling and worldschooling families or for anyone who wants to continue learning after a visit to the Old Lighthouse Museum.
