The Saint Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights are a pair of historic, interconnected lighthouses located on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Originally established a shore station in 1832 the current pierhead structures were built between 1906 and 1907 and remain famous for their preserved elevated catwalk.Architectural Highlights and Range System The lighthouses serve as a critical navigation system for vessels entering the river channel The Outer Light: A round, 35 foot tall black and white cast iron tower positioned at the very edge of the pier The Inner Light: A 57 foot tall white octagonal structure built atop a square fog signal building notable for its bright red roof. The range system: By aligning the shorter outer light directly beneath the taller inner light,sailors can verify that their ship is perfectly on course to enter the channel safely. The Catawalk: A 12 foot high elevated steel walkway connects the shore to the towers. It historically protected keepers from being washed out into the turbulent lake during intense stotms.
