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The Lighthouses of Door County

There’s something so cool about lighthouses. I just love taking pics of them and if I can climb them it’s an added bonus. When I was in Door County, Wisconsin with some of my fellow North Iowa Bloggers we saw as many of the Light Houses I we could.

The first one we checked out was the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light. I loved the red color and it was gorgeous out in the lake. We parked near the coast guard and were able to walk out closer to it.

This impressive red structure is located at the fully operational U.S. Coast Guard station on the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. The Pier Head navigation light was built in 1882, and the station was built with a tower light in 1899, renovated in 1903 and automated in 1972. The lower level break wall is the only section of the grounds that are open to the public.

The Cana Island Lighthouse was fun because we could climb it.

Me and Laura at the top of the Cana Island Lighthouse

We got to climb to the top.

The view was spectacular!

Cana Island Lighthouse

Located on the north end of Baileys Harbor off narrow and rustic Cana Island Road, this lighthouse is perhaps the most iconic and photographed of all Door County lighthouses. It was established in 1869 and automated in 1944. The island, accessed by walking across a stone causeway, is operated as a museum by the Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Laura, Me, Sara, and Leslie at the Chambers Island Lighthouse

Chambers Island Lighthouse

This lighthouse, located on the northwest corner of Chambers Island, is only accessible by boat. It was established in 1858 and automated in 1961.

We also checked out the Baileys Harbor Range Lights. I found it interesting that these were considered lighthouses because they helped ships know they were in safe waters.

I had to take my obligatory jump shot 😉

These range lights were used for 100 years, between 1869 and 1969, and automated in 1923, to safely navigate boats into Baileys Harbor. When the upper and lower lights were parallel to each other, sailors know they were in safe water. The lights were removed from service in 1969 and replaced with a directional light atop a 31-foot tower on the shore. In 1993, the Ridges Sanctuary restored both range lights. The grounds of the range light structures are open to the public, but the structures themselves are not.

We didn’t get to see all of the light houses, but I found out they do a Lighthouse Festival that I’d definitely love to check out!

Where’s your favorite lighthouse?

Signature Donna The Lighthouses of Door County

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Comments

Jennifer Boehme says

01/17/2016 at 7:15 am

I would love to visit them in person. It’s been many years since I seen a couple as a child. I love looking at them and the peace they seem to have.

Jill H says

01/16/2016 at 5:22 pm

I miss the water, I think the last light house I saw was on Lake Superior, I would love to go to Door County with girlfriends, it looks like you had a great time.

Kim Pincombe Cole says

01/16/2016 at 3:00 pm

I grew up in both Wisconsin & Michigan – so we spent our Summer’s camping in Door County! It is so beautiful.

Joy says

01/16/2016 at 11:09 am

Love lighthouses. One of our bathrooms is all lighthouses. Looks like a beautiful place to visit!

Laura Cerny says

12/28/2015 at 4:06 pm

I love Door County and I love lighthouses. Enough said! Beautiful photos, Donna.

- Donna says
  
  12/28/2015 at 5:25 pm
  
  Thank you, Laura!

The Lighthouses of Door County

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