The lighthouse, which is still an active Aid to Navigation, is open every day from Memorial Day to mid-October. It is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and operated by the Gulliver Historical Society. The lighthouse complex consists of the beacon, keeper’s house, and several outbuildings, including the fog signal building. In addition to the lighthouse, there is a gift shop, picnic area, restroom, grills, and trail for visitors to enjoy.
About The Haunted Lighthouse: The Native American name is pronounced “Sis-Shwa,” or “Sel-Shwa” according to the French. It means “only choice.” It was so named because when the French found this place, there was nothing but this lone harbor of refuge in this remote part of Lake Michigan. The 78’ brick tower once housed a third-order Fresnel lens. It was long ago replaced with an aero beacon. When it was removed, it was taken to a government facility but was later reported missing. The two-story red brick keeper’s house that is attached to the lighthouse was designed to accommodate two families.
The light, which flashed white every six seconds, was visible up to seventeen nautical miles. The light was automated in 1973. In 1988, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is haunted by the spirit of former Keeper Joseph “Willy” Townshend, who was here from 1901 until his death in 1910. He was a heavy smoker, although his wife did not permit smoking in the house. Eventually, he died of lung cancer in the upstairs bedroom.
He died during the winter when the ground was too hard to dig up, so his burial had to be postponed until the weather improved. In the meantime, he was embalmed, which meant his blood was drained and replaced with salt to preserve the corpse. He was stored in the basement until the family could give him a proper burial. Every since that time, the unmistakable smell of a lit cigar has been prevalent on many occasions, even though smoking is not permitted and no one has been found with a cigar.
The house, including the kitchen table, has been decorated to depict what it would have looked like in earlier times. The ghost of James Townshend has been known to move the silverware, plates, and cups. Also, there is a mannequin resembling Joseph Townshend that is part of the re-creation. Staff sometimes finds the keeper’s cap turned around backwards on the mannequin and a cigar sticking out of his pocket despite the fact that a cigar was not there previously. Paranormal activity includes lights coming on inexplicably, bells ringing, an alarm going off, and images seen in the mirror of the bedroom where Captain Townshend died. The former keeper has been known to put in an appearance from time to time.
I have had the honot of visiting this lighthouse and is one of my favorites! I even had a whiff of cigar smoke when we went through it!
Take a trip to visit! Definitely recommend!
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