The lighthouse at Fourteen Foot Shoal was named to note that the lake is only 14 feet (4.3 m) deep at this point, which is a hazard to navigation, ships and mariners.

This lighthouse never had a keeper as it was an early experiment in automation. The lighthouse keeper from the Poe Reef Light could control this lighthouse using radio beacon.

This light is located at the northern end of Lake Huron, Michigan, US, where it is necessary for boats heading to Chicago to pass through a narrow strait and still avoid shallow water.