Milwaukee NORTH POINT

Type:
Year Established:
1855
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1903
station photo
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
NORTHERN END MILWAUKEE BAY/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
43° 3.9'
Longitude:
87° 52.3'
City / Town:
MILWAUKEE
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
MILWAUKEE
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Milwaukee NORTH POINT
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1994
Year Tower Established:
1888
Tower Construction Material:
CAST IRON (1888)/STEEL (1912)
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
122
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
36.25
Tower Shape:
OCTAGONAL
Tower Daymark:
White
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1888
Keeper's Quarters Style:
QUEEN ANNE
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
FRAME

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1943
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1837: Money was appropriated for a light to make the entrance to Milwaukee River. There were several delays due to controversy over both the location and getting the lantern and the lens. The light was finally lit in late 1838.
  • 1852: Congress approved funds for a new light at North Point that would replace the 1837 light that was thought to be in a poor location.
  • 1855: The original light was discontinued because the North Point light was built and the old light on the bluff overlooking the bay was torn down.
  • 1868: The lantern room was rebuilt. The lens was replaced with the same order.
  • 1887: Another new tower was built when erosion of the bluff in front of the 1855 tower threatened the structure. The gallery, lantern and lens from the previous light were used in the new tower. This new tower was first lit in 1888.
  • 1907: The light was deemed ineffective due to tree growth in the area and was decommissioned. There were objections by both mariners and city officials in Milwaukee. The light was re-lit as a private aide to navigation until its re-lighting was approved by Congress.
  • 1909: Money was appropriated to raise the tower’s height. The work was finished in 1912. While this work was done the light was housed in a temporary tower.
  • 1929: The light was electrified.
  • 1943: The light was automated.
  • 1980: The lighthouse and keepers’ house were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1994: The light was discontinued and the lens was removed.
  • 2002: The North Point Lighthouse Friends group was formed to work on preservation and restoration of the light station.
  • 2003: The light was transferred to Milwaukee County.
  • 2004: The North Point Lighthouse Friends group was awarded a long term lease of the structure.
  • 2006: Restoration of the tower was completed.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017