Lighthouse keepers back in the day took their job very seriously. It was up to them to guide ships around dangerous waters and to steer them clear of land masses jutting out into the water. If a light keeper didn’t do his job, many lives could be lost.Could that be why you hear about so many lighthouses being haunted by their old keepers? Perhaps that’s why William Robinson, the first keeper of the White River Light Station still watches over the place.

The White River Light Station was built in 1876. William Robinson devoted 47 years of his life to the lighthouse and was forced out of his position due to age. His oldest grandson took over, at least keeping the job within the family, but William wasn’t allowed to live at the light. Only his son and immediate family were allowed to stay there. Author Frederick Stonehouse writes in his book, “ Haunted Lakes,” that William told his grandson, “I am not going to leave the building” and he died the day he was supposed to leave. Another story says that he and his grandson simply did not get along. William felt he could still do his job no matter what, but the grandson, William Bush, was in charge and the Lighthouse Service in 1919 told Robinson to move on. Depression kicked in and he died soon after and it would seem he got his wish to stay behind and continue to stay at the old lighthouse.

It seems the second floor of the White River Light Station is his stomping grounds in the afterlife and footsteps can be heard occasionally.

Karen McDonnell has been the curator of what is now the White River Light Station Museum for 23 years. A Muskegon Chronicle article about the lighthouse interviewed the modest Karen McDonnell. She doesn’t claim the lighthouse has any bona fide ghosts or extreme paranormal moments at every corner. What she does admit though are phantom footsteps on the second floor, receiving a brief flash of a couple looking out the top story window, footsteps in the stairwell, a light blinking strangely in the tower and the feeling that Captain William Robinson and his wife Sarah are still around.

 

  • Sources
  • Stonehouse, Frederick. “Haunted Lakes.” Lake Superior Port Cities Inc, Minnesota. 1997.
  • Dave LeMieux. "Lightly Haunted." Muskegon Chronicle 23 october, 2006, : 1A+4A.
  • Written by Amberrose Hammond