Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service

By Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com

We've got a feeling this property is a two-for-one dream for many folks: The chance to own an island *and* live inside a beautiful, renovated historic lighthouse. Read on to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime Michigan property, which recently was re-listed for $1,495,000.

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

Round Island is located off the eastern shores of the Upper Peninsula in the St. Mary's River, between the U.S. and Canada. The listing includes the entire island as well as a few acres on the Michigan mainland directly across from the island, affording easy access by boat.

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

When owner Georgeann Lindberg and her late husband bought the property in the 1990s, the 1892-built lighthouse was in complete disrepair. "It was virtually falling down," Lindberg said. There was also no electricity or plumbing on the island — just a three-stall outhouse.

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The owners both came to the project with relevant skill sets — Georgeann is an interior designer, and her husband had a background in landscape architecture. A massive renovation ensued, maintaining some original details, like the hardwood floors, while incorporating modern conveniences.

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The home has wonderful views of the St. Mary's River and the boats and freighters that pass by daily. "They're just magnificent at night," Lindberg said. "When you look at the ships going away from you, from the stern, it looks like a tiered wedding cake all lit up."

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

Lindberg said the only part of the lighthouse's original footprint that was not salvageable was the kitchen area. The couple also built an addition onto the home to make room for a master suite.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The light in the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1922, though the U.S. Coast Guard still maintains an electronic beacon on the island.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The island is about a 15-minute boatride from the Michigan mainland. Lindberg said she'd close up the home in the wintertime when the river freezes over.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

Lindberg said the entire island is about nine acres, with foot trails that wind around the property. "You just can't imagine the beauty of the surroundings," she said. "You just feel so surrounded by the beauty of nature."

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The home is 2,000 square feet with three bedrooms and two full baths. "It's just a beautiful space to live in," Lindberg said.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

According to the listing, the property boasts 2,600 feet of frontage on the St. Mary's River.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

Lindberg laughed a bit when remembering the state of the plumbing-less, electricity-less lighthouse when they first bought it. "We brought it up to speed," she said.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The home features lots of natural light, blending in with its environment on the otherwise uninhabited island.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The front decks gaze out at St. Joseph Island, which belongs to Ontario, Canada. St. Joseph Island is the third largest in the Great Lakes, and is rich in history, having been a fur trading post and playing a role in the War of 1812. Nearby is U.S.-owned Lime Island, home to a 980-acre undeveloped Michigan state park that offers cottages and tent camping.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The home's location and rich story would make it a treasure for a boat enthusiast or history buff.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The island has a protected boat slip, and the mainland property has a storage area and "office" where guests can park and call the home on the island to be picked up by boat.

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Courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The home has been actively for sale on and off for a few years, following the death of Lindberg's husband. (The listing is removed during the winters when the island is not accessible.) Lindberg said she loves the property but that it's been too much to for her to manage solo.

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Image via Google Maps

The red marker here shows the island's location.

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Via Google Maps

A more detailed look at the island's location.

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This video offers a fly-over and walk-through of the island and the home.

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

The home is being listed by Kidd & Leavy Real Estate. Click here for the listing.

Click here to see more photos of the island, the home, and "before" and "after" shots of the renovation.

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Photo by Eagle Eye Drone Service, courtesy Kidd & Leavy Real Estate

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