Port Sanilac on Lake Huron is a village of under 600 people on the eastern shore of the 'Thumb' of Michigan. It is part of Sanilac Township which includes a total of 2300 inhabitants in the village and surrounding area.
Port Sanilac is located in Sanilac County which covers much of the Thumb's eastern shoreline above the Port Huron area.
Port Sanilac can trace its settlement back to the mid-1800s, when a small village grew up around the timber industry in the area. The original name of Bark Shanty was altered to Port Sanilac in 1857.
The official village website gives a good idea of what visitors should expect:
"Port Sanilac is a quiet port town on the coast of Lake Huron. Watch the sunrise, listen to the waves and feel the cool lake breeze. Take it all in."
Like all of the settlements on the eastern side of the Thumb, the most convenient airport is Detroit Metro Airport, which is the largest and busiest in the state. It is the only one worth considering for long-distance and international flights.
Smaller alternatives are available at Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Distance to Bishop International Airport (Flint): 93 miles
Distance to Detroit Metro Airport: 108 miles
Distance to Capital Region International Airport (Lansing): 145 miles
Distance to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Grand Rapids): 193 miles
The M-25 highway is the scenic route around the eastern side of the Thumb. It heads north along the shoreline of the 'thumb' in the direction of Port Austin and south towards Port Huron.
The M-46 highway leads due east toward Saginaw.
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The Port Sanilac Welcome Center is located just a short walk from the Port Sanilac State Harbor. It is open daily and offers brochures about the area and public restrooms.
The Sanilac County Historical Village and Museum is located just south of the main village on S. Ridge Street. It consists of 12 historic buildings on the estate of a former resident. Tours of both the museum and the village are available in the summer at midday and in the afternoon.
The popular Barn Theatre is located in the former barn of the historic village. The community theatre puts on performances during the summer months.
The Port Sanilac Lighthouse was built near the end of the 19th century to fill a gap in navigational aids around the eastern side of the Thumb. Despite the growing amount of traffic on Lake Huron, the only lighthouses on this side had been the Pointe aux Barques lighthouse in the north and the Fort Gratiot lighthouse to the south.
Port Sanilac Lighthouse came into operation in 1886 and was built in an octagonal design with an adjoining house for the lighthouse keeper. It was transferred into private hands in 2000 and was renovated in 2015.
Port Sanilac Lighthouse
Port Sanilac Lighthouse came into operation in 1886 and was built in an octagonal design with an adjoining house for the lighthouse keeper. It was transferred into private hands in 2000 and was renovated in 2015.
Tours are only available during the summer months, arranged by the Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum and generally only on Fridays.
Mackinaw City is a popular tourist destination located at the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and is a gateway to the Upper Peninsula as well as nearby Mackinac Island. Visitors can also explore the nearby Colonial Michilimackinac State Park, which offesrs historic sites and reenactments.
Alpena is a city located on the Thunder Bay River, which flows into Lake Huron. It is the main gateway for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is home to more than 100 shipwrecks protected by the cold waters of the lake. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena is the visitor center for the sanctuary.
Port Austin is located on the tip of the 'Thumb' of Michigan's 'Mitten'. It is known for its beautiful sand beaches, which are perfect for swimming, boating, and relaxing in the sun. Visitors can also explore the nearby Port Crescent State Park, which offers hiking trails and a beach. The much-photographed Turnip Rock is just a few miles to the east.
Located at the southern end of Lake Huron, Port Huron is a charming city with many activities for visitors. The Blue Water Bridge connects Port Huron to Canada, making it an international gateway. Visitors can enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk, visit the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse or explore the Huron Lightship Museum.
Port Sanilac Village: www.portsanilac.net
Sanilac County Museum: www.sanilaccountymuseum.org
Pointe Sanilac Lighthouse: portsanilaclighthouse.com