Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Milwaukee Pierhead Light

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Location
  
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Automated
  
circa 1939

Construction
  
Steel

Opened
  
1872

Added to NRHP
  
September 2012

Year first lit
  
1872

Foundation
  
concrete pier

Address
  
Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

Material
  
Steel

Year first constructed
  
1872

Milwaukee Pierhead Light

Tower shape
  
Frustum of a cone, decagonal lantern room

Similar
  
Sturgeon Bay Canal North Pie, Milwaukee Breakwater Light, Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Kewaunee Pierhead Light, Rawley Point Light Station

The Milwaukee Pierhead Light is an active lighthouse located in the Milwaukee harbor, just south of downtown. This aid to navigation is a 'sister' of the Kenosha North Pier Light.

Contents

History

The station was established in 1872. It is west of the Milwaukee Breakwater Light, and is near the outflow of the Milwaukee River—not far east of where that river converged with the Kinnickinnic River—into the Milwaukee Harbor and Lake Michigan.

This light has a round steel tower with a round gallery and a ten-sided lantern. In 1926, the original 4th Order Fresnel lens was transferred to the Milwaukee Breakwater Light, and that lens is now displayed at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The Fifth Order Fresnel lens—installed in 1926—was removed in 2005. The tower is newly painted circa 2007. The 5th Order lens is said to be on display also at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.

According to one source: "The original lantern room had helical bar windows and is believed to [be] the one presently on the Breakwater Light." This is corroborated by the report that the Breakwater Light has a "round cast iron lantern room [that] features helical astragal" in the lantern.

A Submarine cable runs from this light to the Milwaukee Breakwater Light, upon which a lighted danger warning is displayed.

The light was recently painted, circa 2007.

From 1872 until 1926, the light had its own keepers. Thereafter, this light, like all of the lights in the harbor, was serviced by the resident Lighthouse keepers who were stationed at the neighboring North Point Light Station until it was automated.

The light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 2012.

Directions

The light is located in downtown Milwaukee, at the end of East Erie Street, which leads to a short pier. Parking is available. The pier may be walked, but the tower is closed.

I-43 to east I-794. Take exit(1F)(Lincoln Memorial Drive), proceed north to Michigan Street. Turn right onto Michigan. Turn right onto Harbor Drive and proceed under the interstate to Polk Street. Turn right on Polk, which ends at Erie Street. Turn left on Erie into the parking lot where it ends.

References

Milwaukee Pierhead Light Wikipedia


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