Native Algonkians called the point "Nadouenigoning", composed of the words "Nadone" (Iroquois) and "Akron" (bone).

"From that time, Point Iroquois became a familiar landmark" for French explorers, fur traders and missionaries who followed.

[9] The first Point Iroquois light was a 45-foot-tall (14 m) rubble stone tower with a wooden lantern deck, outfitted with a flashing white fourth order Fresnel lens.

Being built on the Point's highest ground, this first light had a 63-foot (19 m) focal plane, and a range of visibility of 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi).

[8] The present Cape Cod style white brick lighthouse was built and ran continuously for 93 years, guiding ships in and out of the Soo Locks.

[16] The station was deactivated in 1962, replaced by the Canadian operated Gros Cap Reefs Light, an unmanned buoy-type beacon in the St. Marys River channel.

[16] A fourth order Fresnel lens taken from Martin Reef Light is on display in the Lighthouse keeper's house.

[15] The double residence houses volunteers who work on the lighthouse restoration and give tours of the museum, gift shop and tower.