See more of our coverage of the General Services Administration’s 70th anniversary in our series, GSA @ 70: Mission Evolved
The federal government maintains thousands of properties around the country and sometimes needs to offload a few. This includes properties not on the mainland U.S., such as light houses from New England to the Caribbean, the Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest.
The General Services Administration’s National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act Program works with states, local communities, nonprofits and individuals to convey these historic structures for the sake of preservation. Scroll through the gallery to see some lighthouses currently for sale, as well as the most recent property transfers through the program.
North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse
Lake Michigan (near Leland Township), Michigan
Built in 1935, the light, also known as the Crib, prevented ships from running into danger on the North Manitou Shoals in the passage between the islands and Leelanau Peninsula. This automated light built on a square concrete crib in 26 feet of water made the South Manitou station obsolete, according to the National Park Service. For 42 years, “the crib” was home to a three man Coast Guard crew, who lived in the light tower building. The North Manitou Shoal Light Preservation Society formed to investigate options for preservation of the Crib.