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.