RACINE North Breakwater

Alternate Name(s):
Racine Pierhead
Type:
Year Established:
1872
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1903
Racine North Breakwater WI
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2010
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
RACINE HARBOR ENTRANCE OFF LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
42° 73.40'
Longitude:
87° 77.20'
City / Town:
RACINE
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
RACINE
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. RACINE North Breakwater
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1987
Year Tower Established:
1872
Tower Construction Material:
WOOD first then Metal
Tower Foundation:
ORIG/ROCK FILLED TIMBER CRIB
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
46
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
40
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Tower Daymark:
Red
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1886
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
BRICK (MODIFIED)
Other Structures:
LIFESAVING STATION & BOATHOUSE, WARNING TOWER

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Original Optic Type:
4th order Fresnel
Year Original Lens Installed:
1872
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1872: The first light was built here was a simple wooden structure.
  • Each time the pier was extended the little wooden light would be moved to the end of the extension.
  • 1894: An experimental conduit system was built that was supposed to allow the keeper to maintain this beacon from the Racine Harbor light. The system did not work well and was abandoned in 1896.
  • 1900: It was decided a larger more durable light was needed so the wooden light was moved while a larger Steel frame light was constructed.
  • 1902: The new light was activated along with a fog bell. The wooden light was deactivated.
  • 1920s: The light was moved to the breakwater.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017