Courtesy photo The Seul Choix Pointe light tower got a fresh coat of paint recently. It is the fifth time in 36 years the historic structure has been painted.

GULLIVER — For the fifth time in 36 years, the Gulliver Historical Society, Inc. has contracted Old Country Painting, Inc. to paint the Seul Choix Pointe light tower. The owners of the company are Carl and Dori Behrend with assistant painter and woodworker, Patrick Markey.

In past years, the Behrend’s have painted every building inside the Lighthouse Park including the interior of the 80 foot tall, 96 step light tower.

With the assistance of a rental, Genie 65 foot high lift, the tower was twice pressure washed and bleached. Once that was dried the men tuck pointed the brick over the entire structure. Next, they will apply two coats of a specially designed exterior white paint.

Carl Behrend is well known as “The Singing Great Lakes Balladeer. He wrote and recorded the song, “The Ballad of Seul Choix Pointe.” He has also become known as “The Great Lakes Lighthouse Painter” because he has painted over 11 off-shore lights and lighthouse in past years.

The next big project for the historical society will start early in September by installing a new roof on the gift shop building. Work will be done by Barker Construction of Manistique and assisted by the Michigan DNR.

The Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse was first built in 1892 and went into full operation in 1895. It is a still working lighthouse and guiding Great Lakes freighters into the nearby Port Inland Harbor.

The lighthouse is located in Gulliver and is open from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. The last daily tour of the lighthouse leaves at 5:30 p.m. There are no bare feet, flip-flops, high heels, or babies carried up the light tower steps. An admission fee is requested.

Special events coming up are Haunted Lighthouse on October 21 ND 28, and Christmas from the Past on November 25. Santa Claus will arrive with presents for the children on the Doyle Township Fire Truck at noon.

The park is owned by the State of Michigan and operated by the Gulliver Historical Society, Inc. volunteers.