The Light was originally built in Lake Huron in 1884 on a "crib", an artificial-island landfill,[8] more than 2,000 feet (610 m) from the Cheboygan shore.

It is assumed that the keeper lived in Cheboygan; this would have required him to boat daily to the crib, despite weather conditions, to maintain the kerosene-fired light.

In the Crib Light's new incarnation, kerosene was no longer necessary; instead, a traveling crew periodically delivered tanks of the flammable gas acetylene.

When locals learned of the Coast Guard’s plans to demolish the site, an agreement was made to donate the light to the city of Cheboygan.

In 2003, the municipality succeeded in clearing its title to the light and erasing its status as "surplus" property nominally under the ownership of the federal General Services Administration.

The light may also be viewed from eastbound lighthouse cruises offered by Shepler's Ferry out of Mackinaw City.

Visitors to Gordon Turner Park can view and walk around the light at the end of Water Street in Cheboygan.