The first lighthouse built at this location was a small, square wooden structure erected in 1872. In 1880 the lighthouse service installed a new light atop a metal pole in a protective cage. The oil lantern was lowered by pulleys for service. At the turn of the century, a steel tower was built for the light, and in 1907 the present structure was erected. Named the Holland Harbor South Pierhead Lighthouse, it has a gabled roof that reflects the Dutch influence in the area. The lighthouse, apply referred to as "Big Red," was automated in 1932. When the U.S. Coast Guard recommended that it be abandoned in 1970, citizens circulated petitions to rescue it. The Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission was then organized to preserve and restore this landmark. The original 6° Fresnel lens (1907) is on display at the Holland Museum. In 2000-01, protests forced state park officials to drop a plan to charge portrait photographers $325 for photos taken with the lighthouse as a background.

ARLHS Number: USA-375
USCG Number: 7-19295
Build: 1907
Construction: steel-clad wood
Height: 16 m