Sand Hills Lighthouse, MI, photo by Chuck Turk
It would be the largest lighthouse built on the Great Lakes. And it would be the last.
After 25 years of requesting a lighthouse at Five Mile Point on Lake Superior, the government finally approved the funds.
Nearby Sawtooth Reef had been the demise of many vessels traveling along the rocky shoreline of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, requiring the need for a lighthouse. Forty-seven acres of land were purchased and construction began in 1917.
The result was a grand structure built of buff-colored brick consisting of a 70-foot tower surrounded by three separate apartments for three keepers. Each apartment had its own access to the second-floor of the tower. The apartments also had hardwood floors and their own cellars surrounding a central basement which housed the station’s hot central heating and water supply systems.
Sand Hills Fog House, photo by Chuck Turk
In addition to the lighthouse building, a fog-signal house, storehouse, boathouse, oil house and landing dock, all connected by concrete sidewalks were built at the station. The Sand Hills Light Station had no equal.
In 1919, William R Bennetts was appointed head keeper, and he and his wife Mary moved in, along with two assistant keepers. In June of that year, Bennetts activated the lighthouse’s fourth-order Fresnel lens for the first time. Keeper Bennetts remained the head keeper for twenty years, becoming the only head keeper the light ever had when the Coast Guard took over control of lighthouses in 1939 and decided to automate Sand Hills, eliminating the need for keepers.
Sand Hills Lighthouse, looking toward old dock from lantern room balcony, photo by Chuck Turk
For the next five years, the lighthouse remained empty, but in 1942, 200 Coast Guardsmen occupied the grounds and buildings as a training site during World War II. A year later, the grounds were abandoned again, and in 1954, the use of radar determined that the light was no longer necessary and so it was decommissioned.
The site remained vacant until 1958 when the government sold the property to a private owner at auction. However, just a few years later, the owner put the property up for sale again and it was bought by William Frabotta in 1961.
For the next thirty years, the Frabotta family used the property as a summer vacation spot, using the fog house as their summer cottage because the main building had fallen into disrepair. Years of disuse and destruction by vandals had taken its toll on the once-splendid lighthouse, and extensive repair was needed.
However, in 1992, Frabotta undertook a major renovation plan. After a massive three-year remodeling, the building was reopened as an impressive bed and breakfast inn in 1995.
Now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the lighthouse is one of only twenty lighthouses in the United States that operates as a bed and breakfast. Today, another William and Mary (Frabotta), welcome guests into their Victorian-decorated lighthouse, eager to exhibit the result of their dedication and hard work.
William and Mary of Sand Hills Lighthouse with young guest, photo by Chuck Turk
Sand Hills is once more the “Castle of the Keweenaw,” restored by caring and committed hands.
Sometimes I need restoration too. In those times, I turn to the Bible and pray the words of Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
William Frabotta passed away in 2016 at age 85. His widowed wife Mary ran the B&B for some period afterwards. She may have passed away. It was sold to a local preservationist in March 2019 and is presently listed as “closed for renovation.”
Jim Vandenberg
Yes, I knew about that and have spoken to the new owners. At that time, a few months ago, they said Mary is still living, I believe with relatives. I am so thankful we met both of them when we visited the lighthouse four years and a half years ago. Thanks for your comment.
We were on a motorcycle trip around Lake Superior during a rainstorm and by fate we stopped at a bar asking where we might get a room. They said the lighthouse would be near but is booked a year ahead. I called and someone had just cancelled. Bill looked like Elvis. The place was a little erie. Mary played the organ/piano? And Mary made wonderful desert and breakfast. So lovely.one floor was full of memorabilia of an English actor/author? Mary knew.
My husband, grandson and I were also guests when Mary and Bill were there. Sadly, Bill died and Mary sold the lighthouse to new owners who, last time I spoke with them, were renovating it. I’m so glad we were able to stay there while Mary and Bill were there – an era now gone.
We were lucky enough to stay with Bill and Mary in the fall 1996. The bedrooms were finished but work had just started on the stairs to the light. I hope the new owner will keep the area open to the public. I believe he owns the Eagle Harbor lighthouse as well..
We stayed w Bill once Christmas Eve. We had a room that had a balcony looking out to superior. It was an experience to watch the snow and waves. Bill made us breakfast wow could he put on a feast!!it was the best anniversary ever !!!
Hi Sherry, I didn’t know Bill could cook! But I know Mary was a professional cook for a major food company many years. The breakfast she served us was amazing!
In 2008, my husband and I stayed at Sand Hill Lighthouse for our 1st anniversary. Mary and Bill were our lovely host. I remembered we gathered with other guests in the parlor to hear Mary play the piano. We hope to be able to visit again once we are both retired.
We were hoping to stay here. It has been on our wish list for years. Sadly a recording States that it is currently closed for renovations but will not reopen as a b&b…Does anyone know more info?
I wish I knew what was going on. it has been this way since Mary moved out. What a shame to leave it alone.
This makes me so sad to see it closed. Bill Frabotta and his first wife Eve, owned the light house for years. They were friends of my old bosses. The four of them would go up around the 4th of July each year, I came up on year in the 80’s. I didn’t stay with them but I came and enjoyed the grounds. Bill had one of Al Capone’s pool table’s…so he said. :). Bill and Florence (my boss) loved to cook!! We had dinner in the fog horn house, by the light of lanterns, it was beautiful as the sun set on Lake Superior!! One of my favorite memories there. I was hoping to do a fall trip up there this year to relive the memories. Fingers crossed maybe next year.