Racine (Root River)

Type:
Year Established:
1839
Existing:
No
Source:
LL-1901
Racine (06) Map of LH Site, Root River, Piers NA RG 26 WI.jpg
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
1856
Photo Credit:
US Lighthouse Establishment
Photo Courtesy of:
National Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
Root River Mouth/lake Michigan
Latitude:
42° 44'05"
Longitude:
87° 46'41"
City / Town:
RACINE
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Racine (Root River)
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1865
Disposition:
Demolished in 1876 and Private Residence Built on Site
Year Tower Established:
1839
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
48 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
36 FT
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1839

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Original Optic Type:
reflectors later 5th order Fresnel
Year Original Lens Installed:
1858
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1839: A light was built at the bank overlooking the mouth of the Root River.
  • 1858: The light was raised by 6 feet and became a fixed white light. A Fifth order Fresnel was installed.
  • At some point it became powered by gas from the city of Racine.
  • 1866: The light was discontinued due to the new Racine Harbor light.
  • 1870: The house and lot were sold.
  • 1876: The lighthouse was demolished.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jan 15, 2018