Sheboygan Lighthouse

Sheboygan Lighthouse
Location	North Point in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Coordinates	43°45′47″N87°41′53″W / 43.763°N 87.698°W Coordinates: 43°45′47″N87°41′53″W / 43.763°N 87.698°W approx.
Tower
Construction	Brick (first); Wood frame (second)
Shape	Conical tower (first); Dwelling with lantern on roof (second)
Light
First lit	1839
Lens	reflectors; replaced with fifth order Fresnel lens

Last updated February 20, 2023

The Sheboygan Lighthouse stood on North Point in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Improvements to the harbor rendered it obsolete, and it was deactivated in the early 20th century. The much altered second light survives as a private residence.

History

Modern navigational beacon on the Sheboygan River north breakwater in 2020 SheboyganBreakwater.jpg — Modern navigational beacon on the Sheboygan River north breakwater in 2020

The mouth of the Sheboygan River (then called the Chipewagan) was one of four sites examined in 1837 as possible sites for lights along the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan. Examination of the site led to a favorable recommendation, and a light was erected on the bluffs at North Point (or North Sheboygan Point), north of the river mouth.^[1] This light, which was first lit in 1839, consisted of the typical brick tower and attached dwelling of the period.^[2] In 1857, the original lamp and reflector arrangement was upgraded to a fifth order Fresnel lens; however, by this date erosion threatened the structure, and a house was built further back in 1860.^[1] The new light was housed in a dwelling with the lantern on the roof.^[2]

The location of the light was (and is) some distance from the river, whose navigation was impeded by shoaling. In 1852 a series of improvements to the harbor commenced, beginning with a set of piers to delineate the channel.^[2] These piers were extended in stages, and were eventually supplemented by a breakwater which in turn was extended to shore, and which in the end supplanted most of the north pier.^[2] Each of these structures had a navigational light placed upon it, locally maintained at first, and then after 1873 by the lighthouse service. A 1905 upgrade to the north pierhead light rendered the older lighthouse superfluous, and it was deactivated that year.^[2] The old lighthouse was sold, and in 1916 it was moved further inland, where it still stands.^[2]

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References

1 2 Wardius, Ken; Wardius, Barb (2003). Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic & Historical Guide. Back Earth, Wisconsin: Prairie Oak Press. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9781879483606.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

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[Wardius-1] 1 2 Wardius, Ken; Wardius, Barb (2003). Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic & Historical Guide. Back Earth, Wisconsin: Prairie Oak Press. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9781879483606.

[lhf-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

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v t e Lighthouses of Wisconsin
Main: List of lighthouses in the United States
Lake Superior	Ashland Harbor Breakwater Chequamegon Point Devils Island Gull Island La Pointe Michigan Island Outer Island Raspberry Island Sand Island Wisconsin Point
Lake Michigan	Algoma Baileys Harbor Baileys Harbor Range Cana Island Chambers Island Dunlap Reef Range Eagle Bluff Grassy Island Range Green Bay Harbor Entrance Green island Kenosha Kenosha North Pier Kevich Kewaunee Pierhead Long Tail Manitowoc Breakwater Milwaukee Breakwater Milwaukee Pierhead North Point Peshtigo Reef Pilot Island Plum Island Range Port Washington Port Washington Breakwater Pottawatomie Racine Harbor Racine North Breakwater Racine Reef Rawley Point Sheboygan Sherwood Point Sturgeon Bay Canal Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Two Rivers Wind Point
Lake Winnebago	Asylum Calumet Fond du Lac Neenah Rockwell
Historical (lost) lights	Dunlap Reef Range Front Manitowoc Main Manitowoc North Pierhead Plum Island Range Front Racine North Pierhead
Apostle Islands Lighthouses