Port Sanilac Light Station was built in 1886 by the US Lighthouse Establishment and was first lit on October 20, 1886 as a fixed-white light. Its 4th Order Fresnel lens, fueled by kerosene, was visible 15 statute miles. The octagonal brick tower has a focal plane of 52 feet above the ground and stands 69 feet above lake level. In 1889 the light was changed to fixed-red through use of a ruby glass chimney. It was electrified in 1924, changed to flashing-white in 1925, and automated in 1927. The dwelling and grounds were sold at government auction in 1928 and have been privately owned ever since. The tower was sold to original family heirs in 2000, then in December 2014 to the second owner, the Shook's, followed by a major restoration project of the entire light station in 2015-2016. Its keepers were Richard Morris from 1886 to 1893, William Holmes from 1893 to 1926, and Grace Holmes from 1926 to 1927.