Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Wisconsin--Michigan Island Lights

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Wisconsin Lighthouses

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MICHIGAN ISLAND LIGHTS

State: WISCONSIN
Location: APOSTLE ISLANDS / LAKE SUPERIOR
Nearest City: BAYFIELD
County: ASHLAND
Year Station Established: 1857

First tower as seen from the lantern in the second tower. NPS photo by Candace Clifford, 2000

1st Historic Tower:

Year Existing Historic Tower Constructed: 1869
Is the Light Operational? NO
Date Deactivated: 1929
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: MASONRY/STEEL
Markings/Patterns: BLACK LANTERN ON WHITEWASHED MASONRY TOWER
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: ATTACHED
Tower Height: 64
Height of Focal Plane: 129
Original Optic: THIRD AND HALF ORDER, FRESNEL (1869)
Present Optic: REMOVED
Lens Disposition: ORIGINAL LENS ON DISPLAY IN VISITOR CENTER IN BAYFIELD

Newer Tower? YES

Year Constructed: 1929

Existing Fog Signal Building? NO

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES

Year Constructed: 1857
Number of Stories: 1.5
Architectural Style: ATTACHED
Construction Materials: MASONRY

Other Structures: SEE MICHIGAN ISLAND (2ND TOWER)

Owner/Manager: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Current Use: NATIONAL PARK EXHIBIT-- APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE

Open to the Public? YES, TOWER OPEN SUMMERS
Access: BOAT
Public Phone:715-779-3397

National Register Status: PART OF LISTING: APOSTLE ISLANDS LIGHTHOUSES

HABS/HAER Documentation? YES WI-317 (WASO)

Miscellaneous:
TOWER BUILT IN WRONG LOCATION, 1857, LEFT DORMAT 12 YEARS; NEW LANTERN WHEN LIT IN 1869; REPLACED BY NEARBY STEEL SKELETON TOWER (see below) IN 1929

NPS photo by Candace Clifford, 2000

2ND HISTORIC TOWER:

Year Existing Historic Tower Constructed: 1880
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: CONCRETE
Construction Materials: STEEL
Markings/Patterns: WHITE
Shape: CYLINDRICAL SKELETAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 118
Height of Focal Plane: 170
Original Optic: THIRD AND HALF ORDER, FRESNEL (1928)
Present Optic: DCB-24 (1975)
Year Automated: 1943
Lens Disposition: ORIGINAL LENS ON DISPLAY AT APOSTLE ISLANDS VISITOR CENTER, BAYFIELD, WI

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Fog Signal Building? NO

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES

Year Constructed: 1928
Number of Stories: 2
Architectural Style: BUNGALOW
Construction Materials: RED BRICK

Other Structures: BARN/SHED, PRIVY, POWER HOUSE (1928), TRAMWAY FROM POWERHOUSE (1928), ASST. KEEPERS (1928), WORKSHOP/APARTMENT (1928), DOCK

Owner/Manager: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE W/USCG ACCESS TO OPTIC

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN NATIONAL PARK

Open to the Public? YES; TOWER OPEN SUMMERS
Access: BOAT
Public Phone:715-779-3397

National Register Status: PART OF LISTING: APOSTLE ISLANDS LIGHTHOUSES

Miscellaneous:
TOWER WAS BUILT ON SCHOONER LEDGE IN 1880, MOVED IN 1919 AND RECONSTRUCTED IN 1929

Last Modified: Wed, Mar 27 2002 10:12:02 am EDT
JMP

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