Michigan has more lighthouses than any other U.S. state, a result of its long shoreline along four of the five Great Lakes—Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. More than 120 historic lights once guided ships through dangerous shoals, reefs, and narrow passages such as the Straits of Mackinac. Many of these structures date to the 19th century, when increasing shipping traffic carrying timber, iron ore, and grain made reliable navigation aids essential. Today, many surviving lights—such as Big Sable Point Light, Whitefish Point Light, and Point Betsie Light—are preserved as museums or historic landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the maritime history that helped shape the Great Lakes region.