Plum Island Lighthouse - Door County
Plum Island,  Door County Wisconsin
Located on an island off the tip of Door County.

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Map

Location


Follow signs to the northern most tip of Door County Wisconsin.  At Northport Wisconsin, you will be able to see the lighthouse approximately 1 mile away from the dock.  This body of water is labeled "Death's Door" from its tricky waves that have sunk many boats.
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​​Google Maps HERE

History

Key Historical Highlights:​

Porte des Morts, or Death’s Door, is a narrow strait separating the tip of Door County Peninsula from a collection of islands that extends north towards Michigan’s upper peninsula. These islands, which include Plum Island, Detroit Island, Washington Island, Rock Island, St. Martin Island, Summer Island, and Poverty Island, form a dividing line between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

As Milwaukee and Chicago grew in importance, traffic from these ports preferred taking the more southerly Death’s Door Passage to Green Bay, as it saved significant time.

​On August 8, 1848, Congress appropriated $3,500 for a lighthouse to mark Porte des Morts Passage, and later that year President James K. Polk reserved Plum Island, situated on the northern side of the passage, for lighthouse purposes. During 1849, a government crew built a stone tower and dwelling on the southern end of Plum Island, and a light was put in operation that year. William Riggins, accompanied by his wife and three children, took up residence in the lighthouse as its first keeper. It was soon apparent, however, that the light was located too far inside the passage, and in 1858 a lighthouse was built on tiny Pilot Island, situated 1.7 miles to the southeast, and the lighthouse on Plum Island was abandoned.

Photography

To reach the lighthouse, the easiest way is to go to the Washington Island Ferry launch location and fly the drone from the beach.  Its approximately 1 mile to the island.  
To walk on the island, a private boat would be required for the 1.5 mile voyage parking at the dock on the North side of the Island..  Then a 20 minute hike is 

The water you cross is called Death's Door, so, windy days would be discouraged.
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LENS - 24-104mm lens would be best.

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