Former Door County Maritime Museum Director Bob Desh wrote this of lighthouses:
A variety of towers have played essential rolls in the nation’s maritime history. Signal towers, watch towers and light towers in a wide variety of shapes and sizes once dotted America’s coastlines, including here on the Great Lakes, where Door County lighthouses remain important guides. These historic maritime towers continue to fascinate.
While the idea behind the lighthouse was a practical one, there’s something elusive about them which fascinates many people. Perhaps it’s their link with the past; perhaps, that they served a heroic purpose. That fascination is very palpable here in Door County where its 11 lighthouses constitute one of the highest concentration of lights in the United States.
The light tower’s intention is to simply save lives, to protect all mariners as they approach rocky shores and bring light in the midst of the fog and darkness. It almost seems as though these breathtaking structures are guarding a secret from the rest of society, tales of lives that were saved and souls that were once housed within their walls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=451&v=y7kiuMmroS4
Door County Lighthouse Tours
Door County Lighthouse Festival: June 7 – 9, 2019
Boat excursions and guided land-based tours to all 11 historic Door County lighthouses giving visitors access to lighthouses that aren’t typically open to the public, including Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point lighthouses.
Many of the Door County lighthouses also offer docent led tours and/ or group tours. Check out all the Door County lighthouses for more information!
Baileys Harbor Range Lights
Ridges Sanctuary
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Situated within the grounds of The Ridges Sanctuary, the Baileys Harbor Range Lights actually replaced a failed first attempt in 1852. The first lighthouse was a circular stone structure with an iron top that resembled a birdcage. Today, it is privately owned and can only be viewed from the water.
The relit Range Lights in June 2015.
Birdcage Lighthouse
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Located on an island near Baileys Harbor, the Birdcage Lighthouse wasn’t kept open for very long. It’s brief history though is what lead to the creation of the Cana Island Lighthouse as well as the Range Lights.
The Baileys Harbor Birdcage Lighthouse.
Cana Island Lighthouse
8800 E. Cana Island Rd
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Door County’s most photographed and painted lighthouse, Cana Island Lighthouse gives visitors breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the peninsula.
Chambers Island Lighthouse
Chambers Island
Located on Chambers Island off the shore of Fish Creek, the Chambers Island Lighthouse is closed from the public but the grounds are still accessible to visitors.
Chambers Island Lighthouse. Submitted photo.
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
Within Peninsula State Park
Fish Creek, WI 54212
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. Photo by Len Villano.
Pilot Island Lighthouse
Pilot Island
Located on a small island between the mainland and Washington Island, Pilot Island Lighthouse is still in the process of rehabilitation after years of neglect.
Pilot Island. Photo by Tim Sweet.
Plum Island Lighthouse
Plum Island
Located off the tip of the peninsula on Plum Island, the Plum Island Lighthouse grounds and dwelling are currently off-limits to visitors. The island, however, started to offer special days and excursions where people can explore the island.
Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island. Photo courtesy of the Door County Maritime Museum.
Washington Island, WI 54246
Hailed as the “Grandfather” of Door County lighthouses, Pottawatomie Lighthouse boasts a long history and was the first lighthouse to be built in the county.
Sherwood Point Lighthouse
Sherwood Point
Nasewaupee, WI 54235
Perched along the southern side of the canal, Sherwood Point Lighthouse boasts a rich nautical history. While the grounds are off limits to civilians, boaters can catch a glimpse of the unique lighthouse.
The Sherwood Point Lighthouse in Sturgeon Bay, one of 11 lighthouses in Door County. Photo by Dan Eggert.
Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Located at the northern side of the entrance to the Sturgeon Bay Canal, the Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light is now privately owned. The dwellings and tower are closed to the public but the lower level breakwall is still open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipNpaqQ_nWY&t=23s
-
Group Seeks Lighthouse Preservation on Poverty Island
By Tim Sweet Lake Michigan’s Poverty Island is a 186-acre link in the Grand Traverse Island chain that stretches from Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula northeastward to the Garden Peninsula in Upper Michigan. It is home to a historic light station that has fallen into a state of disrepair since the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) abandoned the […]
-
Hanson Norwegian Homestead Open After Two Years
The Door County Historical Society’s interpretive sites, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and the Heritage Village at Big Creek, are open for the season. For the first time in two years, due to the generous gift of time by society volunteers, the Hanson Norwegian Homestead will be open on Saturdays from 10 am until noon through Oct. […]
-
Plum Island Boat Dock Now Open After Ten Years
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the opening of the Plum Island boat dock, due to recent improvements to the dock and breakwall. This is the first time the dock has been open since Plum and Pilot Islands were transferred from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in […]
-
Poverty Island Restoration Seeking Friends Group
The future of Poverty Island was discussed in a conference call last week. The call was hosted by Carol Grundman, a Milwaukee-based realty specialist with the Bureau of Land Management. While Poverty Island is located a little less than six miles off the shore of Michigan’s Garden Peninsula, the conference call attracted a number of […]
-
Cana Island Lighthouse Open for the Season
Cana Island Lighthouse opened for the Door County summer season on May 1. One of Door County’s premier tourist attractions, it will be open through Oct. 29. Visitors can travel back in time and explore one of Door County’s most popular lighthouses that’s been standing for just short of 150 years. They can investigate the […]
-
Sue Jarosh Releases First Children’s Book of New Series
The first in a series of children’s books about Door County’s legendary lighthouses has been released. Door County’s Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Mouse, written and illustrated by Sue Steckart Jarosh, is now available in a number of Door County shops. It can also be found in locations in Green Bay, De Pere and in Dubuque, Iowa. […]
-
Maritime Museum Members Can Order First Lighthouse Festival Tickets
Door County Maritime Museum members will get the first opportunity to order tickets for the 24th annual Door County Lighthouse Festival. Between March 20 and April 3, members can order tickets for the variety of land-based tours and boat excursions set for the weekend of June 9-11. Tickets, which will go on sale to the […]
-
Lighthouses – What is the Fascination?
By Bob Desh A variety of towers have played essential rolls in the nation’s maritime history. Signal towers, watch towers and light towers in a wide variety of shapes and sizes once dotted America’s coastlines, including here on the Great Lakes. No matter their original purpose, these historic maritime towers continue to fascinate. The […]
-
Northern Door Storytellers Guild Holds Twilight Tours, Tunes & Tales at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
As night descends over the Door Peninsula, the lamp shines at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. As its beam brightens the night sky, the voices of past keepers whisper in the dark, echoing their stories. For two weekend evenings, the Door County Historical Society invites guests to delight in the tales of the keepers through story, song, […]
-
Many Tours, Cruises Offered during Autumn Door County Lighthouse Fest
Reacting to the popularity of the Door County Lighthouse Festival each June and a positive response to last October’s first installment of an abbreviated Autumn Door County Lighthouse Festival, the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) is again offering some of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend. Reservations are now being taken for these nautical […]
-
Night Photography Tips, Little Eddie Big Cup & More Weekend Plans
Just like that, September makes way for October. Take in the sights and sounds of autumn’s glory with a twilight tour of Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, stock up on handcrafted wearable art, or head to Potawatomi State Park to learn more about the plants lining the peninsula’s forest floors. Friday, September 30 Night Photography Know-How Join […]
-
Heroes of the Storm: U.S. Life-Saving Stations Rescued Many People in 130-Year History
Bob Desh retired as a captain after a 36-year career in the Coast Guard, then served as executive director of the Door County Maritime Museum. He is also a former executive director of the Foundation for Coast Guard History and presently serves on the Museum Exhibit Advisory Panel for the National Coast Guard Museum, scheduled […]
-
Door County Maritime Museum’s Tower Campaign Still Raising Funds for Construction
The Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society has been actively engaged for nearly a year in a fundraising campaign to both construct a 10-story museum tower addition and expand the current facilities in Sturgeon Bay. The campaign has reached out to more than 2,000 individuals, corporations, foundations and small businesses. Nearly half of […]
-
Door County Maritime Museum Holds Autumn Lighthouse Fest with Tours
Reacting to the popularity of the Door County Lighthouse Festival each June and a positive response to last October’s first installment of an abbreviated Autumn Door County Lighthouse Festival, the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) is again offering some of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend. Reservations are now being taken for these nautical […]
-
The Sharrows, Marina Fest & More Weekend Plans
Labor Day Weekend is upon us, and with it comes incredible chances to take in Door County’s vibrant art, music and people. Guffaw your way through a hilarious fall comedy, gear up for some outrageous karaoke, or get your hands on some beautifully quilted pieces. Friday, Sept. 2 Opening Reception Step into The Hardy Gallery, […]
-
Belgian Kermiss, Kite Festival & More Weekend Plans
Summer is quickly coming to a close. Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful August weather. Survey the land on Plum Island, watch some Shakespeare in Potawatomi State Park or spelunk through the Horseshoe Bay Cave. Friday, Aug. 19 Honey Dewdrops Take a picnic dinner and a bottle of wine to enjoy before Woodwalk […]
-
Plum Island Open to the Public
Plum Island, located in the Death’s Door Passage between the tip of the Door Peninsula and Washington Island, will be open to the public Aug. 20 & 21, 9 am – 4 pm. The pier will be accessible that weekend for private boaters wishing to use it. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and volunteers […]
-
Oh, the Keeper’s Life for Me: 164 Years of Lighthouse History
Baileys Harbor, rich with lighthouses today, is lucky to have any at all, considering its initial venture in 1852. Everyone knows the village’s origin: The story of Captain Justice Bailey, who chanced upon the harbor as refuge from a storm and reported the rich resources of stone and timber to Milwaukee businessman Alanson Sweet. Sweet, […]
-
Death’s Door Sunset Cruise Scheduled for July 16
The Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands (FOPPI) are hosting a Sunset Cruise through beautiful Death’s Door Passage. This is a critical fundraising effort to assist them with the important work of protecting and preserving Door County landmarks. The cruise is scheduled for July 16 at 6:30 pm, leaving from the Island Clipper dock in […]
-
Alternative Option Offered to Cross Cana Island Causeway
Cana Island Lighthouse & Tower remains one of the Door County’s premier tourist attractions despite the fact that the island is, once again, a true island. The historical structures on the island are maintained by the Door County Maritime Museum under the jurisdiction of the Door County Park System. The raising waters of Lake Michigan […]