7 Wisconsin’s Historic Lighthouses That Still Guide the Great Lakes

Wisconsin’s rugged shorelines along Lakes Michigan and Superior have been home to magnificent lighthouses for nearly two centuries. These beacons of safety have guided countless ships through treacherous waters, saving lives and cargo during violent storms.

Today, these historic structures stand as monuments to Wisconsin’s maritime heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the solitary lives of lighthouse keepers and the crucial role these towers played in Great Lakes shipping.

1. Cana Island Lighthouse in Door County: A Visitor Favorite on Lake Michigan

Standing tall since 1869, this brilliant white tower rises 89 feet above Lake Michigan’s blue waters, making it one of Door County’s most photographed landmarks. The limestone structure has weathered countless storms while guiding ships safely through the treacherous waters between the peninsula and surrounding islands.

Visitors can reach Cana Island by crossing a causeway that’s occasionally underwater, adding adventure to the journey. Once there, climb the 97 spiral steps to experience breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Michigan stretching to the horizon.

The keeper’s house now serves as a museum showcasing maritime artifacts and stories from the lighthouse’s 150+ year history. The Fresnel lens installed in 1902 continues to flash its distinctive signal every 30 seconds, visible up to 18 miles away. Tours run May through October, allowing visitors to explore this living piece of Wisconsin’s maritime heritage.

2. Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse: A Harbor Icon With a Red Glow

Unlike its taller counterparts, this compact yet striking lighthouse has marked the entrance to Milwaukee’s harbor since 1872. The current structure, built in 1926, features a distinctive cherry-red exterior that makes it instantly recognizable against the city skyline and lake horizon.

Located at the end of a half-mile breakwater, the lighthouse stands 43 feet tall and guides vessels into Wisconsin’s largest port. Brave souls can walk the breakwater path to get an up-close view, though it’s not recommended during rough weather when waves crash over the concrete walkway.

The automated light now flashes every four seconds, continuing its silent service to commercial shipping and recreational boaters. While not open for interior tours, the Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse remains one of the city’s most beloved maritime landmarks. Photography enthusiasts particularly love capturing its vibrant silhouette against dramatic sunrises or during winter storms when ice formations create otherworldly scenes around its base.

3. Rawley Point Lighthouse in Two Rivers: Still Active for Mariners

Towering 113 feet above Lake Michigan, Rawley Point Lighthouse combines history with modern functionality. The current metal skeletal tower, erected in 1894, replaced earlier wooden structures repeatedly destroyed by fire. Its distinctive white latticework design makes it one of the most unique lighthouses in Wisconsin.

Located within Point Beach State Forest, this lighthouse continues its vital role guiding ships along one of Lake Michigan’s most dangerous stretches. The powerful beam from its second-order Fresnel lens once projected 18 miles across the water, though modern automated equipment now handles this critical task.

While the tower itself remains closed to the public as an active Coast Guard installation, visitors can enjoy excellent views from nearby hiking trails. The keeper’s house serves as a private residence for Coast Guard personnel. Rawley Point’s fascinating history includes numerous shipwrecks along this treacherous shoreline, earning it the nickname “Two Rivers Reefs” among nineteenth-century sailors who feared these waters during storms.

4. Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine: One of the Tallest on the Great Lakes

Soaring 108 feet above Lake Michigan, Wind Point Lighthouse has served as a crucial navigational aid since 1880. This impressive brick tower ranks among the tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes, with walls measuring six feet thick at the base to withstand fierce lake storms.

Maritime history comes alive at this historic site where generations of keepers maintained the light that guided iron ore carriers and passenger vessels. The original third-order Fresnel lens projected a beam visible for over 19 miles, though it’s now replaced with a modern automated beacon that continues to serve mariners.

The surrounding park offers beautiful grounds for picnics and photography. Monthly tower climbs from June through October allow adventurous visitors to ascend the 144 steps to the top for spectacular views. The adjacent keeper’s quarters now houses the Racine County Convention and Visitors Bureau, providing information about local attractions and the lighthouse’s storied past.

5. Sand Island Lighthouse in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Built in 1881 from locally quarried brownstone, the Sand Island Lighthouse stands as a testament to human ingenuity in one of Lake Superior’s most remote locations. Its distinctive octagonal shape and reddish-brown color make it architecturally unique among Great Lakes lighthouses.

Accessible only by private boat or kayak, this lighthouse offers adventurous travelers a genuine wilderness experience. The challenging journey rewards visitors with pristine beaches, sea caves, and a sense of isolation that helps imagine the life of lighthouse keepers who once endured harsh winters here.

The lighthouse operated continuously until 1921, when it was automated. Park rangers now lead occasional summer tours when weather permits. The structure’s brownstone construction has proven remarkably durable against Lake Superior’s notorious storms. Visitors marvel at the craftsmanship that has withstood more than a century of brutal weather, including waves that occasionally reach the tower’s base during violent gales that pound this exposed island.

6. Devils Island Lighthouse: Remote and Historic on Lake Superior

Perched on the northernmost point of Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands, Devils Island Lighthouse has weathered Lake Superior’s fiercest storms since 1891. The cylindrical white tower rises 82 feet above the lake, constructed of brick with a cast iron exterior that gives it a distinctive appearance among Great Lakes lighthouses.

Famous for the eerie foghorn that earned the island its name, this remote outpost was one of the most difficult assignments for lighthouse keepers. Winter isolation could last months, with waves freezing into spectacular ice formations that completely transformed the landscape.

The lighthouse was electrified in 1961 and fully automated in 1978, ending the era of resident keepers. Today, the Devils Island Light remains operational, flashing every 10 seconds and visible for 22 miles. Summer boat tours from Bayfield allow visitors to explore the island and its historic buildings, though landings depend entirely on weather conditions. The haunting beauty of this isolated outpost captures the imagination of all who make the journey across Superior’s unpredictable waters.

7. Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light: A Classic Wisconsin Beacon

Guarding the entrance to the vital Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal since 1903, this bright red lighthouse stands as a sentinel where Lake Michigan meets one of Wisconsin’s most important maritime passages. The 39-foot steel tower marks the northern pier of the canal that allows vessels to bypass the dangerous Death’s Door passage at the tip of the Door Peninsula.

Connected to shore by a concrete walkway, the lighthouse offers visitors a chance to experience the thrill of walking out into the lake. Large ships regularly pass within yards of the structure as they enter or exit the canal, providing spectacular viewing opportunities for maritime enthusiasts.

The automated light continues to flash its red signal every six seconds, guiding commercial freighters and pleasure craft. While the interior remains closed to the public, the exterior and surrounding pier area are freely accessible year-round. During winter, the lighthouse transforms into an ice-covered sculpture when waves and spray freeze in fantastic formations, creating a photographer’s paradise against the stark winter landscape of Door County.