Dow Rear Range Lighthouse

The Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse sits south of the mouth of the Saginaw River and the Saginaw Bay in Bangor Township. It’s lights were first lit in 1876, but were deactivated in the 1970s. The property, owned by Dow Chemical, sat unused and boarded up until recently, when Dow partnered with the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Michigan's Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to complete renovations of the Lighthouse. 

The lighthouse will be part of a larger nature preserve and education center, that will be open to the public for tours and educational purposes. The lighthouse is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Spicer Group was hired by Dow to research historic data to decide on a suitable restoration approach, and then using a 3D scanning drone to capture detailed exterior measurements and visuals, especially for high elevations. Interior measurements were taken by hand and converted into digital CAD drawings. By integrating the 3D drone data with the CAD drawings, Spicer engineers and architects created a restoration plan. This plan included designs for accessible toilet rooms, a storage building, and an accessible ramp to the lighthouse's main floor. Other site improvements included concrete removal and replacement for decks and staircase, removing rust from the deck, corbels, and railings and repainting, performing interior trim and patching to the floors and walls, and installing period matching lighting.