Only Eight Sided Pyramidal Erector Style Lighthouse On The Great Lakes

The Rawley Point Lighthouse, also known as the Twin River Point Lighthouse, is located at Two Rivers, WI. It's not clear exactly when a lighthouse was first constructed here, but records indicate the first lighthouse in this area was built in 1853 at Twin Rivers Point. The original had a brick tower that stood 100 feet tall and was attached to the keeper's dwelling by a hallway. The remains of the original circular tower can be seen at the right side of the big house, behind the tree and in front of the metal tower. (Enlarge picture for better view.) In 1894 the top portion of the brick tower was demolished. The remaining shorter tower with the cone shape roof, became part of the keeper's quarters in 1895. One result is a curious round living room that remains inside the dwelling. In 1962, a fire damaged the keeper's quarters,

The current eight sided pyramidal erector style lighthouse is the only one of this type on the Great Lakes. It stands 111 feet, the second tallest lighthouse in WI. It is an alteration and expansion of a lighthouse relocated from the Chicago River Light-station in 1893 after the World's Fair. The light tower has a central cylinder iron stair containing 132 steps with support supplied by a maze of exterior steel frames. There’s a double-decked set of watch-rooms with ornate fencing, placed one atop the other, below the lantern room. These dual watch-rooms are another unique feature among WI lights. The light tower was constructed next to the two and a half story keeper's dwelling.

In 1920 the light was electrified, and the original third-order lens continued in use until 1952 when a piece of the lens broke. The lens was replaced with the current twin-bull's eye rotating beacon which can be seen for 28 miles, weather permitting. 

At the time of my visit, this was an active lighthouse, but the tower and quarters were off limits to the public. The Coast Guard utilized the quarters for housing and a military recreation cottage.

After a Variety of Towers and Locations, It's A Beauty

The North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee, WI is the third lighthouse built there. The first, a 30 ft tall tower was erected in 1838 but operation didn’t start until 1839. Its source of light was provided by seven lanterns in the lantern room. Location of the lighthouse was quickly determined to be unfavorable as it did not enable the light to provide proper navigational assistance. 

In 1855, a second tower 28 feet tall was built approximately 100 feet east of the present lighthouse on a 56 foot bluff overlooking the lake. The tower’s lantern room housed a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Eventually, erosion forced officials to replace that lighthouse. So, in 1887 a new lighthouse tower was completed at a height of 39 feet, and it was built entirely of bolted cast iron sections.

Years later in 1912, a steel plate lower section of a tower was built, and the aforementioned cast iron tower disassembled and then reassembled on top of the new steel lower section. This procedure raised the light to a height of 74 feet above ground and above the lake to a new height of almost 160 feet. This lighthouse operated until 1994 when it was deactivated.

Eventually, the lighthouse was transferred to Milwaukee County. They leased the property to the North Point Lighthouse Friends. You can visit this beautiful and unique lighthouse located on N. Wahl Ave in Lake Park, Milwaukee, WI.

Decorative Eight-sided Light Tower

Located in the Fond Du Lac Yacht Harbor at Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, WI is the decorative Fond Du Lack eight-sided light tower, a picturesque landmark well know to the city. Translated, the name means "end of the lake." The locals know the light as Lakeside Park Lighthouse. The structure replaced an ordinary red light that previously marked the harbor entrance.

The lighthouse is the brainchild of a Fond Du Lac lumberman, W.J. Nuss. The cornerstone laid in 1933, and the lighthouse built entirely with donated building materials and private funds.  The white, Cape Cod style tower stands approximately 66 feet tall and measures 12 feet in diameter. The base is composed of stone. Funds to purchase the light to top the tower were raised by the local yacht club. A stairway allows the public to climb to the open walkway atop the tower. An observation platform is 44 feet above the ground, but in the early 1960's the tower was closed to the public as it was deemed unsafe. Then in 1967 it was saved through repairs, and then in 1993 restored. 

Boaters utilize the red light atop the white tower by lining up the light with another light located behind the boathouses to safely guide then to shore. A procedure similar to the range light system. The light is normally operational during the boating season, May through October.

Still a Beauty After One Hundred Thirty-eight Years

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.

Deactivated But Continues as Part of Local History

The Racine North Breakwater Light, built in 1910, is located at the harbor of Racine, WI. This beautiful red tower stands 46 ft high. The Coast Guard deactivated the light in 1987 and now it is owned by the City of Racine. Although deactivated, it continues as part of Racine's history. Note:
If you look to the right of the of this lighthouse, in the background, you can see the WI, Wind Point Lighthouse.