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GSA offers historic Michigan lighthouse for sale

For immediate release – July 11, 2018

CHICAGO – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announces the public sale of the Martin Reef Lighthouse as part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) program’s effort to find a new owner for this historic structure.  

The Martin Reef Lighthouse, located in northern Lake Huron 4.3 miles offshore from Cadogan Point, was built in 1927 and consists of a three-story, riveted, steel-plate tower topped by a square watch room situated on a square concrete crib. 

About the Auction

  • As part of the NHLPA program, GSA is offering the lighthouse through an online auction at realestatesales.gov.
  • The auction began on July 2, 2018, with a starting bid of $25,000.
  • Interested bidders need to complete an online registration form and submit a $5,000 registration deposit. Additional information can be found on realestatesales.gov.
  • This lighthouse occupies Great Lakes Public Trust bottomlands owned by the state of Michigan. The state will require any purchaser to enter into a Private Use Agreement for lease of bottomlands prior to any use or occupancy of the lighthouse. 
  • The lighthouse will also serve as an active aid to navigation, which will remain the personal property of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
  • Through this program, proceeds from the public sales go back into the USCG’s Aid to Navigation Fund, which pays for the equipment, maintenance, and resources to continue preservation and maintenance of lighthouses that are still active.

Since 2000, GSA has administered the NHLPA with its partners, the Department of the Interior - National Park Service and USCG. To date, 137 lighthouses have been sold or transferred out of federal ownership, with 79 transferred at no cost to preservationists and 58 sold by auction to the public.

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Last updated: Jul 19, 2018
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