Halfway between Marquette and Keweenaw Portage Entry, you'll find the town of Big Bay, population about 320 and the Big Bay Point Lighthouse. Norm Hettinger, along with these six honkers had no trouble finding the light and taking a walk around the grounds. This beacon has quite a history, even being leased at one point, to the U.S. Army and National Guard for anti-aircraft artillery training. It was during that time (1951 & 1952), that a soldier stationed at the lighthouse committed a murder at the Lumberjack Tavern in Big Bay. The movie Anatomy of a Murder was based on this incident and the filming took place in Big Bay and Marquette. Hollywood drama in the U.P.!

Good Morning,
Hope everyone has a great day. Lightning parade celebration today here in Tampa.

Looks like today we might have a little lightning (and thunder) here in the U.P., too.

I stayed at the lighthouse in the late 80's.

It was a wonderful experience.

A well deserved parade in Tampa... glad to see the Flames lose.

Is this the lighthouse that is supposed to be haunted?

Have a great day everyone!

Keith,
Yes, this lighthouse does have quite the reputation for unexplained happenings and sightings!

Great picture of the Keeweenaw pleasures!

You can't tell from this view, but Big Bay sits on a high rocky cliff over Lake Superior. It's a fabulous scene for sure. Great picture!

Good Morning,
My favorite Lighthouse!!! Big Bay is where we stay every summer. I've been going up there since I was a teenager in the late 70's. I worked at Bay Cliff Health Camp for 3 years. There is something about Big Bay that draws me in. Lucky for me I married someone who loves to fish and hike! My kids have all grown up swimming on Lake Independence. If you want to visit a very special place, stop at Bay Cliff. They will give you a tour and you will see such dedicated staff encouraging the kids. You can also buy a raffle ticket for a 2004 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. Only 5.00.
Go to www.BayCliff.org for more info.
Charlie and crew, I hope you don't mind me plugging the fine people at camp. Thanks.

The movie classic, "Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed in Marquette when Gary and I were at Northern and many of our fellow students appear in the film as extras. It was really exciting to have Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick and the other stars in town. Judge Volker, who wrote the book using the pen name of Robert Traver...came to Escanaba every Wednesday for dinner at the House of Ludington....he often played the piano,,as did Jimmy Stewart, who protrayed a young Judge Volker in the movie. He only knew two tunes really well....As "Time Goes Bye" and "Deep Purple" and on a few occasions we gathered around the piano and sang along with him. He was a real proud yooper and a really nice man.

G'morning from hot & muggy Milw (80 degrees at 7:30 a.m. is too much). Great pic today; would like to be up high in a lighthouse to catch a breeze.

Speaking of movies, does anyone know when "The Sweater Letter" will be shown on TV?

"Sweater Letter" postponed two weeks according to the Gazette
last night.

to mickey:
I heard on the local Keweenaw radio station it is scheduled for June 23 on CourtTV at 9PMEST.

Most likely has guided a lot of Freighters. For a hundred eight years.

It looks nice to me.

This is a great picture. I love lighthouses!! Would love to see the view from the top of the tower!

What a game last night eh? Hope the Pistons can get the next one!

Our son worked at Bay Cliff one summer during college. After 2 years in IN and one year in WY we are moving back to MI the end of June. Not quite to the UP but we're getting closer!

Good morning from the northwest. I read a book about hauntings on the great lakes by Fredrick Stonehouse, and in the book he talks about the Big Bay Lighthouse as being one of the most haunted sites on the Great Lakes. If you like ghosts stories its a great book to read.

My husband and I spent two nights at the lighthouse a couple of years ago. What a great time we had. We didn't know about the black flies but learned real quick. Hope to return to the lighthouse and the Keweenaw one of these years.

Went out at 8:15...rain and thunder. On the way home (9:30) the wind shifted and the temp dropped about 10 degrees. I live near Lake Michigan on the South East side.

Jeff Portland Oregon:
What is the name of that book you wrote about in your post? I'd love to read it. That kind of stuff facinates me.

Fran, GA.... check your mail, the pictures are on the way. Mailed them yesterday.

Any one looking to see lighthouses of the Keweenaw should look at the Keweenaw Star. We have several differnt cruises during the summer and fall. Check out the website www.keweenawexcursions.com for more info.

According to the Gazette a few weeks back it was suppose to air tonight on Court TV @ 9 p.m. I looked on courttv.com and couldn't find it. I e-mailed them asking when it will air. I will let you know when I hear from them.

Lookie there, Debbie already knows (didn't see her post). If I hear anything different I will let ya know.

Charlotte,

It is funny you mention the flies at this lighthouse. I was there yesterday and they are bad. I live in the U.P. and have been all around the U.P., but I have to say that this may be the worst place for flies. Not sure why they are worse here, but you better have on your sneakers and make a run for it. Oh yeah, bring the spray and net, you will need it here!

*Note* Running really does help :)

Lumberjack Tavern - Big Bay

Shoreline by the Lighthouse
Photo of a photo, nothing fancy, but will give ya an idea what it looks like.

What is "sweater letters". Is this a murder mystery from the UP? I watch Court TV quite abit, but would like to know if this particular show has anything to do with the UP.

http://www.sweaterletter.com

"ME"

What a lovely photo of the shore line! I can see me there reading "Sweater Letter".

Talking about movies and the U.P., last evening I was crusing the channels and came across "Somewhere In Time". This has to be the MOST romantic movie ever, even better than "Casablanca". I'm not a Christopher Reeve fan but he and Jane Seymor were wonderful. It takes place supposidly in 1912 at the Grand Hotel on Macaninaw (sp) Island and uses in time travel. So romantic...(sighhhhhhhhhhh). Even an old gal like me can get goosebumps!

Wow! The forests of the UP hide such intrigue!! I gotta get that book.

Thanks to Trish, Calumet, MI- for posting that 3rd snapshot yesterday, of her incredibly hardworking little Poika!! A true "Man for All Seasons"! Look out! My son was always trying to help like that and now he's a Cabinet maker with his own booming business in NY state. When they start young like that they think work is play- and play is play too! Hey! I'm not proud or anything ;)

Donna, Muskegon
http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0604dstl.htm
This should bring you up to speed on Sweater Letter.

Somewhere in Time is my all time favorite movie!!
Sigh.

In the book the location was different,but I think they made the perfect choice in filming it on Mackinaw Island!!

There is another movie coming out called "A Love of Time" by a Michigan author. It was highlighted in Michigan magazine. I am anxious to see how it turns out. I think some of it was filmed on Mack Island like Somewhere in Time.

To SDC,FERNDAL I cant remember the exact title OF THE BOOK, I'm at work and the book is at home but the title was something like shipwrecks and ghosts of the great lakes by Fredrick Stonehouse,he has written a couple volumes about the topic, I bought it when I was visiting a couple of years ago at Calumet Mercantile so you might want to call them or maybe they have a web site I'm not sure.In matter of fact I will try to get you the phone number tomorrow.

Jeff portland oregon:
Thanks for the information. I'll see if I can find it. Sounds interesting. My hubby is so interested in the Edmund Fitzgerald and Titanic. He probably would like this book too.

This is the lighthouse that my husband of 14 year prossed to me. We just celebrated June 2. This is my favorite lighthouse but, all lighthouse I fine interesting.

Anybody have a website where reservations can be made to stay in the lighthouse? I looked for one in the messages -- hope I didn't miss it. Thanks.

Ok, time for a plug from Daryl now... (I just updated his site so I
know it's soon to be released)

Keweenaw Video has a new video just coming out June 15 about
the Haunted Great Lakes with the Ghosts at the Straits of
Mackinaw... Don also has several other videos and DVD's
available about lots of mysteries of the Great Lakes.

Keweeanw Video

Award-winning video producer to release HAUNTED GREAT
LAKES the movie on June 15. Don Hermanson, winner of
numerous awards for documenting Great Lakes regional history
and folklore, will release his third video documenting ghosts and
true-life spiritual encounters as revealed by those who
experienced them. Hermanson, who  has received Telly Awards,
the Mercury Excellence Award, Apex Award, and The
Communicator Award of Excellence for his work, is set to release
the new work on June 15.

After filming and gathering information for several years,
Hermanson began this new DVD at one of the most haunted
areas of the Great Lakes, the Straits of Mackinaw. Both St. Ignace
and Mackinaw City are said to be haunted with the souls of
fallen warriors, soldiers, and mariners. For the first time on film,
local residents share their experiences with these spirits.

Read more on his site....

Somewhere I read that the Native Americans in the region when the whites came did not live on the Keeweenaw, but went there to mine, hunt, fish, and trap. It was said that they didn't live there because they thought it was haunted. I remember when I read this that I thought it was probably because of the cold and amount of snow in winter. Always wondered, is it true that Native Americans did not live on the Keeweenaw? Could its incredible allure be because it is a spirit-live place?

I have been to Mack City a billion times and never even heard of such hauntings. I learn something new every day.

Don's videos are excellent.
Don also filmed our wedding video in Copper Harbor in July 02 that turned out PERFECT.

Thanks Again Don

So, what's one of the most famous "Hauntings" at Mackinaw City? I'm so curious because like I said I spent alot of time there over the years and just never heard of any.

To Shelly; Do you realize how much a billion is?Like you said you learn something new every day.
A billion seconds ago it was 1957. A billion minutes ago Christ walked the Earth.One hour and twenty minutes ago our goverment spent a billion dollars.Now how many times have you realy been to Mack City?

I watched the funeral protocol for President Ronald Reagon today, with the caisson bearing his flag draped casket, pulled by the mounted military, and the horse with the boots facing the opposite direction on the way to the Capitol Building was a very moving experience.

And on a lighter note, the music "Somewhere in Time", composed and conducted by John Barry, is one of my favorite in my music collection.

to ert, GA. A website for the lighthouse, go to Yahoo.Com a search for Big Baty Point Lighthouse. Jeff and Linda Gamble oversee the inn.

honk if you see any geese

HHOOONNNNKKKKK!!!!!

Last September my boyfriend and I stayed at BB Lighthouse. The first thing he did when we got there was PROPOSE!! Two days later we were married at Copper Harbor. Yes, Big Bay is a special place for us!

ludington north pier light is haunted

ck

I went huanting deer once. Didn't scare a one !