First Female Lighthouse Keeper Michigan: The Untold Story of Catherine Shook
In 1849, Catherine Shook was appointed the first woman lighthouse keeper in the State of Michigan. She ran the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse until 1851.
News History & Fun in Michigan
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Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes that border Michigan and is shared with Canada. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are of the same depth and meet at the Straits of Mackinac.
In 1849, Catherine Shook was appointed the first woman lighthouse keeper in the State of Michigan. She ran the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse until 1851.
White Rock once helped define a treaty boundary, then tried to become a Lake Huron resort with hotels and a ballroom. Fires, winters and shifting travel routes changed it—but the story still holds.
An 1842 map marked “Zappapoiton” and “Zappapoie River” at present-day White Rock. The stream is now Elm Creek. This piece explains the labels, the location, and why the names disappeared.
Thumb Brewery in Caseville blends historic charm with craft beer and pub fare. A lively patio, music bingo, and a friendly staff make it a standout in Michigan’s Thumb.
The history of Lexington Michigan spans lumber, fishing, and summer resorts. This Lake Huron village adapted to change, creating a legacy still seen in its harbor and streets.
A sterile grass carp in Lake Huron sharpened focus on reporting tools, habitat risks, and the Brandon Road barrier—key to keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. But is it too late?
In Part One of our Michigan Day Trip Around the Thumb we traveled from Port Huron up the eastern shore of Lake Huron to the tip of the Thumb. Our starting point for the second half of our adventure is in Grindstone City. We will begin heading west along Saginaw Bay’s shore of sugar sand beaches and interesting coastal towns and villages. I hope you brought your bathing suit because this side of the Thumb offers some of the best swimming beaches in Michigan.
Michigan boasts 124 unique lighthouses, with several undergoing restoration. Noteworthy sites include the historic Port Austin Reef and Pointe Aux Barques lighthouses, drawing visitors interested in exploration, history, and stunning views along the Great Lakes.