Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
12 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
13 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
16 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
16 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Michigan Au Gres Charity Island Lighthouse

Charity Island Lighthouse

The very isolated Charity Island Lighthouse has been watching over Saginaw Bay since 1857.

Au Gres, Michigan

Added By
Mike Hardy
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Charity Island Lighthouse   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
Charity Island Lighthouse   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
Charity Island Lighthouse   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
Light tower stairs.   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

In 1837, Lieutenant G.J. Pendergrast surveyed Charity Island. With a massive increase in shipping in the area, he saw the need for a lighthouse to be constructed on the island.

In 1856, Congress appropriated $5,000 for construction of the lighthouse. The project began in 1856, by the following year construction was complete. Charles McDonald would serve as the lighthouse's longest attendant, working on the island for more than 30 years. 

Charity Island is about 10 miles from the southern shore of Saginaw Bay. Except for the seasonal residents who live and host tours at the keeper's house, the island is uninhabited. This island and Little Charity Island are considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services as the more remote and least visited islands in the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Related Tags

Lighthouses Islands

Community Contributors

Added By

Thumbwind

Published

January 25, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://thumbwind.com/2019/05/17/charity-island-history/
  • https://thumbwind.com/2019/05/17/charity-island-history/
Charity Island Lighthouse
Au Gres, Michigan, 48703
United States
44.037469, -83.441066

Nearby Places

The Emergency Ark

Port Austin, Michigan

miles away

Turnip Rock

Port Austin, Michigan

miles away

Sanilac Petroglyphs State Historical Park

Cass City, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Michigan

Michigan

United States

Places 271
Stories 29

Nearby Places

The Emergency Ark

Port Austin, Michigan

miles away

Turnip Rock

Port Austin, Michigan

miles away

Sanilac Petroglyphs State Historical Park

Cass City, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Michigan

Michigan

United States

Places 271
Stories 29

Related Places

  • Porphyry Point Lighthouse at the entrance to Black Bay, Lake Superior

    Thunder Bay, Ontario

    Porphyry Point Lighthouse

    Live your lighthouse keeper dreams at this unique lodging on a Canadian island.

  • Seguin Light Station, the highest off of Maine’s coast, was established in 1795.

    Phippsburg, Maine

    Seguin Island Light Station

    George Washington commissioned this centuries-old lighthouse off the coast of Maine.

  • In addition to over 1,300 works of art, the Monhegan Museum shares its location with a historic lighthouse.

    Monhegan, Maine

    Monhegan Museum of Art & History

    This remote museum highlights the island’s impressive creative legacy.

  • Green Island, Taiwan

    Green Island Lighthouse

    An American lighthouse stands on an island cliffside in Taiwan.

  • Isle of Anglesey, Wales

    South Stack Lighthouse

    The lighthouse is on a island which is connected to another island, which is connected to another island, which is connected to one of the largest islands in the world.

  • An aerial view of Inishtrahull lighthouse on Inishtrahull Island.

    County Donegal, Ireland

    Inishtrahull

    Ireland's most northerly island is hauntingly beautiful. Its lighthouse was the last glimpse of home for many Irish emigrants bound for the U.S.

  • Farol dos Rosais

    São Jorge, Portugal

    Farol da Ponta dos Rosais

    On the cliffs of São Jorge in the Azores stand the remains of a lighthouse that was struck by a series of earthquakes.

  • Slate Islands shoreline.

    Terrace Bay, Ontario

    Slate Islands

    This small archipelago in northern Lake Superior was formed by a massive meteorite impact 450 million years ago.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.