Wisconsin
Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse: At the end of Kenosha’s North Pier stands the often-photographed bright red lighthouse. Its black lantern room sits atop the steel cylinder that slightly tapers toward top. Striking in every season, the lighthouse especially pops against a snow backdrop. No matter when you visit, this 1906 structure stuns with its clean lines and simplicity in design.
Racine North Breakwater Light: This modern, utilitarian-shaped lighthouse sits at the entrance to Racine Harbor. Its square-sided tower, topped with a small balcony is a departure from the more traditional tall, cylindrical lighthouses. Scheduled for demolition in 1987, it was saved by public outcry. Since then, it’s become a beloved local landmark.
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Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse: At the end of the pier marking Milwaukee Harbor, stands the bright red Pierhead Lighthouse. Its steel tower, black lantern room, and small balcony are simple in design, allowing the ever-changing waters of Lake Michigan to provide a dramatic backdrop. Built in 1872, it continues to guide ships into the harbor.
Milwaukee North Point Lighthouse: Located in a public park, about 100 feet from the edge of the bluff, stands the North Point Lighthouse. The original 1855 lighthouse collapsed due to erosion. A new structure was built in 1888, using the original lantern room, but surrounding trees eventually obstructed the light, so the tower was dismantled and rebuilt in 1912. Today, the lighthouse is open to the public as a maritime museum, offering a glimpse into Milwaukee’s rich lighthouse history.
Michigan
St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights: These twin lighthouses, located on the same pier, are connected by a raised catwalk. While pier-range systems are rare for the Great Lakes, the alignment of the two lights once signaled safe navigation into the harbor. Although decommissioned in 2005, the lighthouses remain listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the winter, few lighthouses put on a more dramatic display as freezing spray transforms them into sculpture ice formations.
South Haven South Pierhead Light: Since 1872, the South Haven Light has shone its light on the Michigan shoreline. The original wooden structure was replaced with the current cast-iron tower in 1903. The catwalk that links the tower to the shore is only one of four originals left in the state. The keeper’s house, located onshore, has been preserved and is now part of the Michigan Maritime Museum.
Holland Harbor “Big Red” Lighthouse: Holland Harbor Lighthouse is its official name, but this historic lighthouse is better known as “Big Red.” The original lighthouse was built in 1872, though it was replaced in 1907 by the current building, famed for its twin-gabled design. in 1907. Reflecting the Dutch architectural heritage of the town, the lighthouse earned its nickname when the U.S. Coast Guard painted it bright red in 1956.
Grand Haven South Pier and Lighthouses: Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights captivate with two red lighthouses connected by a lit catwalk that shimmers in the water. The inner light, re-established in 1905, is a cylindrical tower, while the outer light, built the same year to replace an earlier beacon, is a fog-signal building resembling a small house. Both remain active navigational aids, which have been automated since 1969. When conditions allow, visitors can stroll along the pier and take in the iconic view.
