Located at Wind Point, near Racine, WI is the Wind Point
Lighthouse. The Lighthouse Service built it in 1880. The tower stands 112 ft
high and has 144 iron steps to the lantern room. A kerosene
"Aladdin's" lamp supplied the light until 1924 at which time an
electrified lamp replaced it. A lighthouse keeper and two assistants manned the
light. They, along with their families, lived in the beautiful keepers house
adjacent to the tower.
In 1964 the
Coast Guard replaced the lens with a fully automated system. The light consists
of a 1,000-watt bulb and a reflector which magnifies the light to 2 million
candlepower. Its light beam is visible for 19 miles, and the rotation is timed
so that it flashes every 20 seconds. Timers and photo-electric cells activate the
light to turn it on 30 minutes before sunset and off 30 minutes after sunrise. They
will also activate the light whenever visibility is less than 5 miles. With the
use of radar on ships, the foghorn was no longer needed, and it was dismantled.
After the light became automated, the Coast Guard sealed the
tower and no one is permitted inside the lighthouse. However, visitors are
welcome to walk around the grounds.
Note: I gave a preview of the Wind Point Lighthouse in my
last post of the Racine N. Breakwater Light. Wind Point is visible in the
background of that breakwater light picture. You may enjoy the perspective.
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