MILWAUKEE NORTH PIERHEAD

Type:
Year Established:
1872
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Milwaukee North Pierhead WI
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2012
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
43° 01'36"
Longitude:
87° 53'51"
City / Town:
MILWAUKEE
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
MILWAUKEE
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. MILWAUKEE NORTH PIERHEAD
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1906
Tower Construction Material:
STEEL
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE PIER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
40 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
32 FT
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
UNKNOWN
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL / FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1872
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1868: The piers flanking the channel of the river were extended out further into Lake Michigan in 1868.
  • 1872: A light was built on the end of the north pier to mark the entrance.
  • 1906: The original tower was replaced.
  • 1926: The 4th Order Fresnel was replaced by a 5th order. The 4th order lens was moved to the breakwater light. With the completion of the breakwater light a cable was laid to power the pierhead light. The keepers at the breakwater now took care of both lights.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017