The South Manitou Island Light was built in 1872, replacing the earlier lighthouses from 1839 and 1858. The light is located on the southeastern tip of the island, just a short distance from the ferry docks. The light tower is 100 feet tall, and built of brick with a spiral cast iron stairway. The attached keeper's quarters is also built of brick, and rests on a stone foundation. A passageway connects the 2.
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North & South Manitou Islands are located 7 miles offshore from the town of Leland. The islands are a part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Shipping along the Manitou Passage (located between the two islands & the mainland) is one of the most dangerous lanes amongst all of the Great Lakes. Freighters must make several turns through this passage with critical precision to avoid the shoals.
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