Pottawatomie (Rock Island)

Type:
Year Established:
1837
Existing:
Yes
restored lighthouse
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
GREEN BAY ENTRANCE/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
45° 25'
Longitude:
86° 49'
City / Town:
GREEN BAY
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
DOOR
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Pottawatomie (Rock Island)
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1980'S
Year Tower Established:
1858
Tower Construction Material:
LIMESTONE
Tower Foundation:
STONE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
137
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
41
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1858
Keeper's Quarters Style:
INTEGRAL
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
GREY LIMESTONE
Other Structures:
BRICK OIL HOUSE, LIMESTONE RUBBLE PRIVY, PARGED STONE CISTERN UNDER FRAME ADDITION, MODERN REPLACEMENT STAIRWAY TO BASE OF CLIFF

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
BATTERY-POWERED BEACON
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER FRESNEL
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1966
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1834: Money was allocated to build a light on this island to mark the Rock Island Passage which ran from Green Bay to Detroit.
  • 1837: The light was first lit.
  • 1858: The tower and keepers house were condemned and a new light tower and keeper’s house were built.
  • 1964: The island became part of the State Park system.
  • 1966: The light was automated.
  • 1975: The light was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1986: Solar panels were installed to provide power.
  • 1988: The light was removed from the 1858 house and placed on a steel skeletal tower.
  • 1994: The Friends of Rock Island group was formed to help restore the historic structures on the Island.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017