Door County Lighthouses

Door County is home to many historic lighthouses throughout the peninsula.  Some of them are open to the public but most are only open for the annual lighthouse walk in early June.

Baileys Harbor Range lights were built in 1869 to guide boats into Baileys Harbor. Geographically, Baileys Harbor is the only harbor refuge north of Milwaukee and became a crucial development. When entering the harbor, the vessel would line up the upper and lower lights to safely navigate around the shallow parts of the harbor.  After the last keeper retired, the residence was turned over to the Ridges Sanctuary. Tours are available in June during the Lighthouse Walk.

Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most painted lighthouses in the country and the most popular attraction for lighthouse enthusiasts. The lighthouse is located on a small island that is connected to the mainland by a small rock causeway. Built in 1869, the massive tower of Milwaukee brick stands 65’, the tallest building in the county at the time. The island is completely open to the public for tours May 2nd through Nov. 1st.  The grounds include an oil house, the keeper’s house and the tower itself. There are rules to climb the lighthouse due to safety regulations. Cana Island is located just north of Baileys Harbor off of County Q.

Canal Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the canal in Sturgeon Bay. It was built in 1899 and is located at the Coast Guard Station. Unfortunately, the grounds are only open to the public the weekend of the Lighthouse Walk. There are two towers at the Canal Station. The 1st tower stands 35’ above the water and the 2nd one is a massive 78’. When it was first opened, the giant steel tower had an awful vibration problem due to its engineering. This was not fixed until five years later by adding the steel framework that you now see surrounding the tower.

Chambers Island Lighthouse was built in 1858 to warn boaters of shallow water surrounding the large island 7.5 miles west of Fish Creek. It was originally constructed to help sailors navigate through the Strawberry Channel.  The 40 acre plot the tower was built on was purchased for $250 in May 1867. The 3 story structure was built with the same Milwaukee brick that the Eagle Bluff & Cana Island lighthouses. In fact, the Chambers Island and the Eagle Bluff lights were almost identical in structure, with the exception of the lantern. When the light became automated, the coast guard moved the beacon to a 97’ tower south of the building. The lighthouse is open to the public but is only accessible by private or chartered boat trips. The lighthouse tours are available Memorial Day to Labor Day when there is a caretaker present. Special boat tours are available the weekend of the Lighthouse Walk in early June.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is in Peninsula State Park near Tennison Bay. It stands 76’ above the water on the most prominent bluff. The light can be seen for 16 miles on a clear day. This lighthouse is a living museum, restored by the Door County Historical Society. It gives the visitors a way to look back into time at what life was like for a lighthouse keeper and their family. Because it is located in the state park, a park sticker is required but a day pass is available for those who do not wish to purchase a season pass.

Bird Cage Lighthouse is located across the harbor from the town of Baileys Harbor. It is very easily spotted from anywhere in town and is also known as the Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse. It was built in 1852 and closed in 1869 after the Range Lights were opened.

Pilot Island Lighthouse was built in 1858 to supplement the lighthouse on Plum Island. Previously called Ports de Morts, the name was changed to Pilot in 1875. The station consisted of a tower and residence, two identical fog sirens, a pier & boathouse. There was not much glamour on this island and even less to do. Some accounts say that the vibrations of the fog signal curdled milk and killed any unborn chickens still in the eggs. The previous name seemed to haunt the place because on June 20, 1880, the fist assistant keeper, John Boyce, killed himself. The keeper himself, a civil war veteran, compared it to the infamous Libby Prison.  Within one year, three schooners all sank off the shores of Pilot Island.  The A.P Nicholas, the Forest, and the J.E Gilmore lie in 15-40 feet of water near the pier. The keeper, Martin Knudsen, became a hero after seeing the A.P. Nichols run aground just off shore. He rescued six men that night. The lighthouse is not open to the public but during the lighthouse walk, boat trips will pass the both Plum & Pilot Island to see the lighthouses.  

Plum Island Range lights are located between the mainland and Washington Island. It is the largest lighthouse station in Door County at over a half mile long. Although visible from the Ferry, most visitors mistake the white tower as the lighthouse but it’s really just the rear range light. The 32’ front light sits 1650’ away and is visible for 8.5 miles on a clear day. The Rear light is 65’ tall and is visible for 13 miles and from both entrance to Death’s Door.

Pottawatomie Lighthouse can be found on the north end of Rock Island. It was established in 1837 which makes it the oldest of the lighthouses in the county. It aided in the passage between Rock Island & St. Martin’s. It was a 30’ stone tower. Its first keeper was named David Corbin. He was responsible for cutting the road from the light to where the giant boathouse was built. In 1858, the original tower and residence were razed due to poor construction. The new tower was able to be seen from 14 miles out. Rock Island is only reachable by ferry or private boat from Jackson Harbor on Washington Island.

Sherwood Point was the last manned lighthouse on the Great Lakes, being automated in 1983. It was built out of red brick, which makes it the only one of its kind in Door County. Presently, the station is used as a retreat for current and former coast guard members so it is not open to the public. It is only open on the Lighthouse Walk. Lighthouse & Lighthouse Museum Tours

 Lakeshore Adventures offers an upclose look at the Lake Michigan Maritime history! They run daily  tips out of the Baileys Harbor Town Marina. On this 2 1/2 hour trip takes you past the Baileys Harbor Range lights, Birdcage and Cana Island lighthouses, a shipwreck, and some historical sites along the way. The well known Frank O’Connor was wooden hulled steam ship that reached a massive 300′ long. The trip back to shore stops near Anclam Park. This was the original site of the logging mill that was the lifeline of Bailey’s Harbor. These trips are a great way to experience Door County’s iconic features from an angle that most never see! The view from the water brings a new perspective on an iconic legend! Definitely a must – do!

• Lakeshore Adventure – Baileys Harbor – (920) 421-0041
• Classic Boat Tours of Door County – Fish Creek – (920) 421-2080
• Door County Fireboat Cruises – Sturgeon Bay – (920) 495-6454
• Door County Kayak Tours – Fish Creek – (920) 344-6641
• Door County Trolley – Sturgeon Bay & Fish Creek – (920) 868-1100
• Door County Self Guided Lighthouse Tour – Egg Harbor – (920) 868-9088
• Island Clipper – Gills Rock – (920)854-2972
• Reel Addiction Charters – Rowleys Bay – (888) 873-REEL
• Shoreline Charters – Sister Bay – (920) 854-4707
• S/V Talisman Sailing Charters – Sturgeon Bay – (920) 743-5124
• Washington Island/Door County Group Tours – Washington Island – (920) 847-2146
• Wings Over Door County – Sturgeon Bay – (888) 743-6952

 

*Written using information provided by www.doorcounty.com, and www.dcmm.org .