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Photo from Detroit Public Library Burton Historical Collection
ABOUT THE PARK

Palmer Park Lighthouse

Palmer Park's charming Lighthouse sits in Lake Frances within view of the historic Log Cabin. According to the Detroit Historical Society, sometime prior to 1900, the small lighthouse was constructed at the lake, and rowing boats were once even rented to park visitors.

In 1908, Souvenir of Palmer Park by McElroy gives the following description of the lighthouse...

In front of the Log Cabin, on one of five small islands in Lake Frances, is a light-house built on a stone foundation, which gives it an air of solidity and usefulness.
It was formerly lighted with an oil lamp and showed a beautiful red, white and blue flash light. The lamp is now out of use, but the park commissioner contemplates putting in an electric lamp. When this is done the light-house will be a unique ornament to the park.

People for Palmer Park is excited to announce the much anticipated restoration of this beloved landmark. Complimenting this restoration will also be the revitalization of Lake Frances in the coming months.
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UPDATE 9/8/2021
  • Foundation work has been completed
  • Carpenters have removed rotten wood, cedar shingle replacement has been completed and a power wash given to the bottom shingles 
  • The top has been painted, a freshly powder coated railing, new windows and LED programmable lighting have been installed
  • A small amount of cleanup and landscaping will top off the project (not too much since the Lake will be dredged by next spring as part of the Habitat Restoration Project)
  • People for Palmer Park hopes to have an official dedication ceremony in the coming weeks 

    Many thanks to our generous donor, the support of the City of Detroit, the outstanding work of the Artisan Contracting team that took on this project and the PFPP Preservation Committee that worked so hard behind the scenes to make this happen.
Final stages of the Lighthouse restoration wind down (9/6/2021). Photos by Amy Lebowsky.
Here is a sneak peak of the interior of the Lighthouse from our
​Preservation & Beautification Committee taken in June 2018:
Many more historic photos of the Lighthouse at Palmer Park can be viewed here: 
Detroit Public Library's Digital Collections.