Editing Mission Point Light (section)

{{Short description|Lighthouse in Michigan, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name            = Mission Point Light
| image           = Mission Point Light (Oct 2020).jpg
| image_size      = 275
| caption         = Mission Point Light in October 2020
| location        = [[Peninsula Township, Michigan]]
| coordinates     = {{coord|44|59|28.7|N|85|28|46.1|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}
| yearbuilt       = 1870
| yearlit         = 1870
| automated       =
| yeardeactivated = 1933
| foundation      = 
| construction    = Wood
| shape           = Square tower on dwelling
| marking         = White with black trim
| height          = {{convert|36|ft}}
| focalheight     = {{convert|47|ft}}
| lens            = Fifth order [[Fresnel lens]]
| currentlens     = 
| intensity       = 
| range           = {{convert|10|mi|nmi km|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}
| characteristic  = Flashing W 6 seconds.<ref>{{cite uscgll|7||}}</ref>
| admiralty       = 
| module          = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=Michigan|designation1_date=October 15, 1992}} 
}}
'''Mission Point Light''' is a [[lighthouse]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]] at the end of [[Old Mission Point]], a peninsula jutting into [[Grand Traverse Bay]] {{convert|17|mi|km}} north of [[Traverse City, Michigan|Traverse City]]. When it was built in 1870, it was an exact copy of the [[Mama Juda Light]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_explorer.asp?action=display_details&LighthouseID=2824&bhcd2=1209945137 |title=Lighthouse depot, Mama Juda Light. |access-date=2008-05-04 |archive-date=2011-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614081701/http://www.lighthousedepot.com/lite_explorer.asp?action=display_details&LighthouseID=2824&bhcd2=1209945137 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (now destroyed), which was built on the [[Detroit River]] in 1866.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lighthousedepot.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=873 |title=Biggs, Jerry, ''Mission to Mama'', Lighthouse Digest, 10/2000. |access-date=2004-02-28 |archive-date=2003-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030710234635/http://www.lighthousedepot.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=873 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The foundation is natural and emplaced. The wooden structure is painted white with black trim. The square tower is attached to a dwelling.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/mission.htm |title=NPS Inventory of Historic Light Stations. |access-date=2004-04-19 |archive-date=2012-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204033824/http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/mission.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A fixed white Fifth Order [[Fresnel lens]] was installed. The building was only one and one half stories tall. However, its placement on a sand bank 14 feet above the lake's surface created a lens focal plane of {{convert|47|ft}}. It was visible from {{convert|13|mi}}{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} at sea. Maintaining the dune and protecting it and the lighthouse from the deleterious effects of wave action has been a constant struggle.<ref name="terrypepper.com">[http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/oldmission/oldmission.htm Terry Pepper, Mission Point lighthouse at Seeing the Light.]</ref>

For 63 years the light served to warn mariners about the shoals off the point. It was a working lighthouse from 1870 to 1933 when it was decommissioned. However, new techniques in offshore construction and the automation of lighthouse illumination made it possible to build a navigation aid on the shoal itself. In 1938, work was completed for the new stationary buoy light in {{convert|19|ft}} of water, about {{convert|2|mi}} northwest of Mission Point. The light ran on batteries. It was on a {{convert|36|ft|adj=on}} tall tower, and its focal plane of {{convert|52|ft}} help make it visible for {{convert|13|mi}}. It had a 30-second dwell time between flashes, in order to conserve power.<ref name="terrypepper.com"/> It is still maintained by the Coast Guard today and only shines North.

Famously, the [[lighthouse]] stands a few hundred yards south of the [[45th parallel north]], halfway between the [[North Pole]] and the [[Equator]]. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1933 and purchased by the State of Michigan.<ref name="unc.edu">{{cite rowlett|miwl}}</ref> There are a pair of signs that denote its location on the parallel,<ref>[http://www.wurlington-bros.com/Museum/45th/OldMission.html Photographs, Old Mission 45th Parallel signs.]</ref> and it is one of 29 places (six are in Michigan) in the U.S.A. where such signs are known to exist.<ref>[http://www.wurlington-bros.com/Museum/45th/NAmer.html List and map of 45th Parallel markers, with links to pictures (accessed 2007-12-17).]</ref> In 1948, 43 local residents pooled their money to buy the lighthouse and then the Peninsula Township bought the lighthouse to restore the building.