Middle Island Light stands on Middle Island in Lake Huron about 10 miles north of Alpena, Michigan, marking an important point for mariners near Thunder Bay and Presque Isle where shelter was available but nearby shoals were dangerous. Those hazards first brought a United States Life-Saving Service station in 1881, and after years of requests and delayed funding, the lighthouse and fog signal were completed and first lit in 1905. Built as a compact brick station with a tower, double keeper’s house, and fog signal building, it later gained electrical upgrades, was automated in 1961, suffered vandalism, and was ultimately preserved through local restoration efforts and nonprofit stewardship.