Presque Isle Township
 Museum Society
 

The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is located one mile from the 1870 Light Keepers Station.  The Presque Isle Township Museum Society manages the station under a lease agreement with Presque Isle Township.  The site is open for tours and tower climbing from June through September.

Well before the lighthouse was built, Presque Isle Harbor served as a refuge for ships and a source for wood to fire their boilers.  In 1838 Congress approved funds for a lighthouse at the location.  Construction began in 1839 on a 30' tower and a separate keeper's dwelling.  In 1866 it was found that the keeper's dwelling was in disrepair and in need of replacement.  At this point a decision was made to build the New Presque Isle Light at a more favorable location for navigation.  In 1871 the new location was operational.  The old light was left vacant until 1897, when it was sold at auction for $75.  The current keeper's dwelling on the site was built in 1939 by a private owner.

For a complete history of the site see Terry Pepper's excellent narrative at  Seeing The Light