Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light

Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pierhead Light, Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin

Originally built in 1882, current structure built in 1903.

STURGEON BAY SHIP CANAL NORTH PIERHEAD LIGHT

Location: CANAL ENTRANCE/LAKE MICHIGAN
Station Established: 1882
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1903
Operational? YES
Automated? YES
Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: CONCRETE
Construction Materials: CAST IRON
Tower Shape: CYLINDRICAL ON SQUARE HOUSE
Markings/Pattern: RED
Relationship to Other Structure: INTEGRAL
Original Lens: SIXTH ORDER, FRESNEL 1882

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

• In 1881 funds were provided by congress to build a lighthouse to mark the eastern entrance to the newly constructed Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. Although the canal was a private venture, the government funded the lighthouse.
• In 1882 the light was built and first lit.
• In 1884 a steam fog building was added and an assistant keeper was hired.
• In 1886 a keeper’s house was built and a second fog signal building was constructed and an additional assistant keeper was hired.
• In 1893 the canal was purchased by the government.
• In 1896 the lighthouse came under the care of the Lighthouse Board.
• In 1903 a new tower was built when a new breakwater was completed.
• The light was automated in 1972.
• At some point the sixth order Fresnel lens was replaced by a 300 mm airport beacon.

Researched and written by Anne Puppa, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.