RASPBERRY ISLAND

Type:
Year Established:
1862
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Raspberry Island WI
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
APOSTLE ISLANDS/LAKE SUPERIOR
Latitude:
46° 58'13"
Longitude:
90° 48'05"
City / Town:
BAYFIELD
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
BAYFIELD
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. RASPBERRY ISLAND
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1957
Disposition:
Now a Museum site
Year Tower Established:
1862
Tower Construction Material:
WOOD
Tower Foundation:
STONE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
77 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
37 FT
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1903
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
RED BRICK
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1862
Keeper's Quarters Style:
DUPLEX
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
WHITE CLAPBOARD
Other Structures:
2 STORAGE BUILDINGS, FRAME BARN (SERVES AS RANGER RESIDENCE), BRICK OIL HOUSE, BOATHOUSE, 2 OUTHOUSES, DOCK, TRAMWAY

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1862
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1947
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1859: Congress appropriated money for this light. Construction was completed in 1863 and the light was first lit.
  • 1869: A dock and stairs were installed up the cliff to the light.
  • 1902: A steam fog signal was installed along with a tramway to make off-loading supplies easier.
  • 1928: A diesel engine was installed to operate electric generators.
  • 1933: The fog signal was upgraded.
  • 1947: The light was automated.
  • 1952: The fog signal was discontinued and the Fresnel lens was replaced by a battery operated beacon mounted on a pole in front of the lighthouse.
  • 1957: The light was deactivated.
  • 1975: Raspberry Island Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2002: The Park Service installed a seawall and a vegetative crib wall to stem the erosion. The work was completed in 2003.
  • 2006: Extensive restoration work on the light station was performed for public tours beginning in 2007.
  • The original Fresnel lens is on display at the Wisconsin State Historical Society Museum.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017