Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

Tucked away in Peninsula State Park, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse offers picturesque views of Green Bay waters and a look into the historic site.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Door County. Photo by Len Villano.

Explore the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse grounds on your own or come for one of the volunteer-led tours. The professional tours bring to life the history of the lighthouse, its keepers and their families who kept the light burning for 58 years before the light was automated. Big group? No worries! The Lighthouse also offers group tours by reservations.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse History

1868: U.S. Lighthouse Service responded to requests from local residents to construct a navigational aid on a bluff overlooking Green Bay. Thus, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse was built.

1868-1883: Henry Stanley, the first keeper, and his wife, stayed at the lighthouse until Henry was transferred to the new Sherwood Point Lighthouse.

1883-1918: William Dulcon, the second keeper, and his wife Julia raised their seven sons in the lighthouse.

Captain and Mrs. Duclon sitting outside the summer kitchen of Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. Submitted.

1918-1926: Peter Coughlin is appointed as the last keeper of the lighthouse.

1926-1960: Eagle Bluff Lighthouse was abandoned because of little interest in using the former living quarters that did not have the benefit of modern utilities. The lamp continued to glow and the building remained under federal ownership.

1930s: The Wisconsin State Conservation Commission (the agency that managed Peninsula State Park) acquired the property. The U.S. Congress authorized a quitclaim deed to the State of Wisconsin and Eagle Bluff Reservation was officially included in Peninsula State Park.

1950: After many attempts at maintaining the lighthouse, all hopes of occupying the lighthouse were abandoned and the stories of the keepers were shut away behind locked doors.

1960: The Door County Historical Society (DCHS) was ready to take on a project of historical merit and chose the vacant Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. A small, dedicated army of volunteer recruits, Walter Duclon, the only surviving son of the second lighthouse keeper William Duclon (1883-1918), spearheaded the restoration work.

1963: The restoration was satisfactorily completed and the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Museum officially welcomed visitors for the first time.

1989: Ruby and Wayne Lemburg retire and move to Door County. Wayne sees ad for an assistant at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and decides to apply for the job. Ruby volunteered to sit at the desk to answer questions and to keep records. Read about the Lemburgs time and contributions at the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.

1990: The curator, Peg Foster, retires and recommends Wayne for the job.

1992: Due to increasing popularity of the lighthouse, Ruby, who had been volunteering her time, was hired as Wayne’s assistant.

2001: Wayne retires as curator. At the time of his retirement there were 12 paid guides, many of whom stayed for years, compared to the 2 guides who had been there at the start of his time at the lighthouse. Bill Cecil is hired as the new curator.

2008: Ruby retires from her assistant position.

2010: Patti Podgers is hired as new curator of the lighthouse.

2010-2013: Any lingering restoration projects were completed including a leaking roof and tattered wallpaper.

2013: The Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Celebrates its 50th Anniversary under the care of the DCHS.