American written history tells us that John McAlpine and his Native American wife lived on McGulpin Point in the 1780s. After the turbulence of the Revolutionary War, the land was surveyed for the new United States of America by Aaron Greeley and ownership was recorded. John McAlpine’s son and heir, Patrick McGulpin, was given the patent on this land and holds the first recorded deed in Emmet County, Michigan in 1811.The historic McGulpin Point Lighthouse, owned by Emmet County, protected shipping on the Straits of Mackinac against storms, fog, and rock between 1869 and 1909, when Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse became operational. This lighthouse was in private ownership for nearly 100 years, during which time the historic integrity of the building was not changed. The lighthouse was relit as an active aid-to-navigation on May 30, 2009. Admission is $3.00 and for hours check the web site: http://www.emmetcounty.org/mcgulpin.