A Historic Landmark on The National Register of Historic Places

In Evanston, IL stands the Grosse Point Lighthouse almost hidden among the surrounding houses and trees. Construction of this 112 feet tall brick tower was completed in 1873. The tower tapers from a diameter of twenty-two feet at its base to thirteen feet three inches at the parapet. The lantern room houses a second-order Fresnel lens, and focal plane of the light is 121 feet above the lake. An adjoining duplex keeper's dwelling and two brick fog signal buildings were also built.

In 1934, the light was converted to electricity and then later automated. This action eliminated the need to man the lighthouse. In 1941 the light was discontinued due to use of other types of navigational aids on the water.

   The city of Evanston acquired the station in 1935 and the tower in1945. In 1946, they reactivated the lighthouse using the original second-order Fresnel lens. The light is classified as a private aid to navigation. 

In 1976, the lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1999 it was designated a Historic Landmark.

One side of the duplex keepers dwelling now houses a museum for visitors to enjoy.

Tower Survived The 1906 Earthquake

Located on a unique, rugged point North of San Francisco, CA is the Point Bonita Lighthouse.

The original tower and keeper's dwelling, built in 1855, was perched on a ledge approximately 300 feet above the ocean. Its light could be seen from up to 20 miles out to sea, unless heavy fog obscured the beam, and it often did. Almost daily the keepers had to sound the fog signal by firing a cannon mounted outside the tower. Later a 1,500 pound bell replaced the cannon, but the fog and low clouds around the tower remained a problem.

A new light station, pictured, was built at a lower elevation, approximately 100 feet above the ocean. This station included a 33 foot tower, building that housed two steam driven fog signals, storage buildings, and keepers dwelling, The lens from the original lighthouse was moved to the new tower, and in February 1877 the new Point Bonita Lighthouse lamp was lit.

 The new tower survived the April 1906 earthquake that devastated nearby San Francisco, but the keeper's dwelling collapsed after the family escaped.

In the early 1980's, the U.S. Coast Guard automated the light and they continue to maintain it. However, the National Park Service maintains the grounds, and to my knowledge, the lighthouse is open to the public three days a week when weather permits.