The Great Lakes’ Eerily Frozen Lighthouses

Published February 24, 2014
Updated May 20, 2021

Evoking the timeless sentiment of isolation, these frozen lighthouses are a perfect symbol for the winter months.

Frozen Lighthouses In The Great Lakes

There are few sights in nature more surreal than the frozen lighthouses sprinkled about Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. Splashing waves and frigid wintry storms transform lighthouses into accidental ice sculptures on the shores of these Great Lakes.

Photographers encounter treacherous conditions in their artistic pursuits. They navigate through thick, icy terrains to capture glacial monuments, frost-covered surfaces and massive, cascading icicles from just the right angles.

Frozen Lighthouses Majestic Beauty

Source: Flickr

Conjuring the timeless sentiment of isolation amid a naturally stunning backdrop, these photographs are truly a sight to behold. One of this phenomenon’s top photographers is Thomas Zakowski of South Bend, Indiana. Zakowski travels to St. Joseph and South Haven, Michigan to take pictures of Mother Nature’s latest lighthouse artwork each winter.

The images below consist of picturesque wintry scenes from the five Great Lakes lighthouses. The sites include Cleveland’s West Pierhead Lighthouse, as well as Michigan’s South Haven, St. Joseph, Petoskey Pierhead, and Point Betsie lighthouses.

South Haven

Source: Flickr

Frozen Lighthouses North Pier

Frozen Lighthouses Natural Wonder

Source: 500Px

Frozen Lighthouses Petoskey Lighthouse

Red And White

Frozen Lighthouses Point Betsie

Source: Blogspot

Lighthouses West Pierhead Cleveland

Source: Tumblr

Lighthouses St. Joseph

Lighthouses Icy Bridge

Source: Broad Sheet

Lighthouses Ice Bird

Lighthouses Ghostly Walkway

Source: Blogspot


If you enjoyed these stunning photographs of frozen lighthouses, be sure to see our other posts on interesting facts and the most interesting pictures on All That’s Interesting!

author
Erin Kelly
author
An All That's Interesting writer since 2013, Erin Kelly focuses on historic places, natural wonders, environmental issues, and the world of science. Her work has also been featured in Smithsonian and she's designed several book covers in her career as a graphic artist.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.