Light Houses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Today we crossed another item off our list of things we wanted to do while staying here in Rockford.  We made the one hour and forty minute trip to Milwaukee to view three light houses.  We have been wanting to do this since 2009 when we viewed all of the light houses north of Chicago along the western shore of Lake Michigan through Wisconsin except for the three in Milwaukee.

We intended to make this trip earlier.  But, Kallie has been very sick and we could not leave her at the camper unattended and we couldn't take her with us.  A trip to the vet on Monday and two shots and a bottle of pills has her back on the right track.  At least now her food is going in and coming out the right direction, if you know what I mean!

We headed to the first light station located at the Milwaukee water front area at the mouth of the Menomonee River.  We arrived at the water front area just after one o'clock.  Our stomachs were telling us it was time to eat, and, low and behold, we pulled up to a nice water front restaurant along the river.  Since it was a perfect day, we ate outside and enjoyed the food and the view.

This is the view of the river from the restaurant.  This area is full of factories and warehouses.  However, the block that the restaurant was on has been completely renovated and now has condos and several little shops.  The board walk goes all the way to the lake front and light station.  Each plank has historical events that shaped this area since 1845 engraved in them.

This shot is a two for one!  The Pierhead light is on the right, and the Breakwater light is in the background on the left.

The pierhead light was originally established in 1872, but was an open-framework.  In 1906 is was replaced with the current structure.  The tower is constructed with 3/8 inch thick steel plates and is eleven feet six inches in diameter at the base, and 42 feet high.  It was equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens that was made in Paris in 1877.  The lens was later changed to a Fifth Order Fresnel lens which is still in operation today.  It flashes every four seconds and guides ships into the river mouth from a distance of 12 miles out in the lake.

The Milwaukee Breakwater Light was established in 1926 at the end of the outer breakwater.  It can only be accessed by boat, and is not open to the public.  It is a four story structure providing living quarters for the light keeper.  The keeper of this light also tended to the Pierhead light.  There are no keepers there now, but the light is still an active navigation aid.   

This shot was taken with a telephoto lens.

Driving a few mile north to Lake Park, we found North Point Lighthouse.  The original structure was built in 1855.  At that time, the tower was only 30-feet tall.  But, by the early 1900's, local trees were already encroaching the tower.  So, in 1912 the tower was raised an additional 35-feet.  The keepers quarters is now a museum, and the light is still active.

This view is from the lake side.

We realized it was now late afternoon and we scurried back to the car knowing we were in for a slow ride home in the Milwaukee rush hour traffic.  To make matters worse, road construction had  closed the on ramp we needed.  We finally got headed in the right direction, but all four lanes were at a stand still.  It was like being in a gigantic parking lot!  For the next five miles traffic was creeping along, then suddenly, we were zooming along on our way back home.  

Getting wrapped up in rush hour traffic did not dampen our spirits.   When we got home, we found our camping neighbor, Sue, was taking Kallie for a walk.  We really appreciated her thoughtfulness. It helped make a great day even better!  We really love seeing light houses.  Each one has a unique story to tell and has greatly improved navigation, savings lives, and helping our county to grow and prosper.