STURGEON BAY SHIP CANAL NORTH PIERHEAD

Type:
Year Established:
1882
Existing:
Yes
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
1993
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
CANAL ENTRANCE/LAKE MICHIGAN
Latitude:
44° 47.5'
Longitude:
87° 18.6'
City / Town:
STURGEON BAY
U.S. State:
Wisconsin
Location County:
DOOR
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. STURGEON BAY SHIP CANAL NORTH PIERHEAD
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1903
Tower Construction Material:
CAST IRON
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
40
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
39
Tower Shape:
CYLINDRICAL ON SQUARE HOUSE
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1903
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
STEEL
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Other Structures:
CATWALK

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
300 MM
Original Optic Type:
SIXTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1882
Private Aid:
No
Year Automated:
1972
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • 1881: Funds were provided by congress to build a lighthouse to mark the eastern entrance to the newly constructed Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. Although the canal was a private venture, the government funded the lighthouse.
  • 1882: The light was built and first lit.
  • 1884: A steam fog building was added and an assistant keeper was hired.
  • 1886: A keeper’s house was built and a second fog signal building was constructed and an additional assistant keeper was hired.
  • 1896: The lighthouse came under the care of the Lighthouse Board.
  • 1903: A new tower was built when a new breakwater was completed.
  • 1972: The light was automated.
  • 2016: The lighthouse structure, cat walk and fog signal building was sold to a private party.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017