Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse - Milwaukee Wisconsin
East Erie Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Located at the entrance to Milwaukee Harbor, it has served as a critical navigational aid for ships on Lake Michigan.

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Map

Location

The Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, recognizing its historical and architectural significance as part of Milwaukee's maritime heritage.

It stands at the end of the pier at the mouth of the Milwaukee River, where the river meets Lake Michigan. While there is no specific street address, you can view the lighthouse from nearby spots such as the Hank Aaron State Trail or by walking along the pier near the Discovery World museum and the Milwaukee Harbor entrance.

​​Google Maps HERE

History

Key Historical Highlights:​
  1. The Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse was built in 1872. It replaced an earlier lighthouse, established in 1839, that was part of the Milwaukee Breakwater system. The current lighthouse is positioned on the pier at the mouth of the Milwaukee River, marking the entrance to the city's harbor.
  2. The original lighthouse used an oil-burning lamp with reflectors to project the light across the harbor. In 1926, the lighthouse was electrified, and a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed. This greatly improved the strength and reach of the light.
  3. Today, the Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse is equipped with modern automated lighting, helping ships navigate Milwaukee Harbor, though it no longer requires a live-in keeper.
  4. A significant part of the lighthouse's early duties was to operate a fog signal to warn ships in low-visibility conditions. A foghorn was installed at the lighthouse to sound during periods of fog, reducing the risk of ships running aground or colliding with the breakwater.
  5. The original fog signal was a steam-powered whistle, which later evolved into more modern systems as technology advanced.

Photography
EASY Access - You can pull your car up to the parking lot and walk a few yards to view the lighthouse.

Time of day - This location is best for sunrise.  
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LENS - 24-104mm lens would be best.