Holland, Michigan
We first became aware of the Holland Harbor Lighthouse, affectionately known by the locals as “Big Red,” with photos at our Airbnb. There are hundreds of lighthouses on the Great Lakes, but this one definitely stands out for a few reasons.
The most obvious reason is its striking red color. The color right away would tell boaters on Lake Michigan that they are at Holland Harbor. A secondary design feature that is also unique is the gabled roof, which reflects the Dutch heritage of many people who live in the area.
The lighthouse itself was almost abandoned, but local citizens saved the structure in 1970. John Gronberg devoted his lifetime to protecting the structure, where his father had proposed to his mother in the 1920s; he wanted the structure to be preserved. According to the lighthouse’s website, there is no current pedestrian access to the structure. People are more willing to maintain structures if you can visit them, and the lighthouse’s website is working on that option.
As for us, we viewed the lighthouse from Ottawa Beach and took a few pictures on the day. Lighthouses become rallying points for coastal communities, and the Big Red still welcomes people to Holland. I’m glad we took a few minutes to witness the lighthouse in its glory. When in the Great Lakes, take a few stops and check out some of the lighthouses that call these local communities home.
