Featured Lighthouse #11- Robert Manning Memorial Lighthouse- Empire

The Robert Manning Memorial Lighthouse, on the public beach in the village of Empire, is not an official nautical lighthouse, and no tours are available, but people love to have their pictures taken with it. Robert H. Manning was a life-long resident of Empire who spent as much time as possible indulging his passion for fishing on Lake Michigan, and longed to see a lighthouse built at Empire for returning fishermen. After his death in 1989, Manning’s family and friends raised money to build this tiny lighthouse in his honor. Directions: From the intersection of M72 and M22, go west on Front street, Travel toward Lake Michigan until the intersection with Lake Street. Take Lake street North into the Empire Beach park. The memorial lighthouse is located at the northernmost end of the park.