CHEQUAMEGON POINT

Type:
Year Established:
1897
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Chequamegon Point WI
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
1999
Photo Credit:
Mike and Carol McKinney
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
LONG ISLAND/CHEQUAMEGON BAY
Latitude:
46° 43'30"
Longitude:
90° 48'36"
City / Town:
ASHLAND
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
ASHLAND
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. CHEQUAMEGON POINT
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1986
Year Tower Established:
1896
Tower Construction Material:
IRON
Tower Foundation:
MOVED/ORIG. CONCRETE PIER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
42 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
35 FT
Tower Shape:
SKELETAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1897
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1964
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1858:  A light was first built on Long Island in Lake Superior to guide ships into the port on Madeline Island. At the time it was the main port in that area.
  • 1896: Ashland had become the major port so congress approved funds to put another light on the other end of the island to show ships where to turn for Ashland. A three story skeletal tower was built. The fourth order Fresnel lens from the 1858 light was moved to the new tower.
  • 1897: This new light was lit and showed a fixed red light.
  • 1964: The light was automated.
  • 1986: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Park was expanded to include Long Island.
  • When the light was again threatened with erosion the tower was moved back from the shore by the Coast Guard. A new tower was erected closer to the shore. The old tower is still standing but has deteriorated somewhat.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017