Middle Island (Lake Huron)

Middle Island is an island in Lake Huron, located in Alpena Township, Alpena County, Michigan.^[1] The island is positioned little over a mile and a half from the community of Lakewood on the mainland. The Middle Island Light, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and built in 1905, lies on the eastern edge of the island.^[2] It used to be home to a Life-Saving Station. The light house was automated in 1961, and regular staffing ceased.^[3] The island is within the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It preserves the lighthouse along with the shipwreck Portsmouth (1867).^[4][5]

Middle Island

Middle Island Show map of Michigan Middle Island Show map of the United States
Geography
Location	Lake Huron
Coordinates	45.1925149°N 83.3271950°W / 45.1925149; -83.3271950
Highest elevation	181 m (594 ft)
Administration
United States
State	Michigan
County	Alpena County
Township	Alpena Township

The Middle Island Sinkhole is located around 500 foot north of the island at 45.1983°N 83.3278°W / 45.1983; -83.3278.^[6] The sinkhole is about 75 feet deep and is available for divers to explore. The sinkhole has been studied by the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and various other research groups.^[7]

U.S. Census map showing Middle Island near the northern border of Alpena County

References

1. "Report for Middle Island". USGNIS. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
2. "Best Collection of Lighthouses on the Great Lakes". Alpena Michigan. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
3. "Middle Island Lighthouse Station". Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
4. "Portsmouth". Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
5. "PORTSMOUTH (1853, Propeller)". Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
6. "Middle Island Sinkhole". US23 Heritage Route. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
7. Ruberg, Steven. "Observations of the Middle Island Sinkhole in Lake Huron" (PDF). NOAA.gov. US Department of Commerce. Retrieved 27 April 2020.