KENOSHA (SOUTHPORT)

Type:
Year Established:
1848
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Kenosha Southport 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:
SIMMONS ISLAND/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
42° 35'24"
Longitude:
87° 48'56"
City / Town:
KENOSHA
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
KENOSHA
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. KENOSHA (SOUTHPORT)
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1906-1996
Year Tower Established:
1866
Tower Construction Material:
MILWAUKEE CREAM CITY BRICK
Tower Foundation:
STONE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
76 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
55 FT
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1867
Keeper's Quarters Style:
GABLED ELL
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
CREAM CITY BRICK
Other Structures:
NONE

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
300 MM
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1866
Private Aid:
Yes
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1847: Land was purchased for the purpose of building a lighthouse on Simmons Island. The light was completed the following year.
  • 1858: A second larger tower was built.
  • 1866: It was not long before this tower required replacing and a new structure was completed.
  • 1903: It was decided to keep the light lit all year round because the winters were mild enough to allow year round shipping.
  • 1906: It was decided to discontinue this light.
  • 1913: The lantern was removed and the tower was capped off at the gallery level.
  • 1950s: There were discussions about demolishing the tower. Citizens of Kenosha worked to save the tower and in 1955 the tower and lands were
  • conveyed to the city of Kenosha becoming a museum.
  • 1994: The lantern was replaced. A light was installed and the tower became a private light.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017