Established in 1858 by the U.S. Lighthouse Service, Grand Traverse Lighthouse stands on the Manitou Shipping Passage at the entrance to Grand Traverse Bay. A fog signal building was constructed in 1899, the lighthouse was converted to a two family dwelling in 1900, a kitchen was added in 1916, and in 1952 it was modernized and electrified with porch wings added. The building closed in 1972, when an automatic light tower was erected, and in 1986 the site opened to the public as a museum.