Port Austin Reef Light

Our Mission

To restore, preserve, provide access and educate the public about the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse and Michigan’s maritime history.LEARN MORE

Our Location

The Port Austin Reef Light is located in Lake Huron approximately 2½ miles north of the Port Austin Harbor and Port Austin, Michigan.

Latitude N 44 deg 04.893 min
Longitude W 082 deg 58.941 min

The station was established and first lit in 1878 and after a devastating fire, modified in 1899. It is still operational and acts as an automated beacon to this day. It is currently owned by the Port Austin Reef Light Association who are in the midst of a full restoration with the goal of offering a lighthouse keeper program.

An anonymous foundation has stepped forward with an exciting matching grant opportunity that will help PARLA raise the funds required to both meet the terms of the MDOT grant and finish the interior of the lighthouse. For every dollar raised between July 1st through December 20th, 2022, the Foundation will match every dollar raised dollar for dollar up to $25,000. Thus if our friends and supporters raise $25,000 for the restoration of the light, the Foundation will match $25,000 creating a total gift of $50,000.

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