Lighthouses of Wisconsin -  Racine Wind Point

4725 Lighthouse Dr, Racine, WI 53402

The lighthouse was built in 1880. It was lit for the first time on November 15, 1880 and continues to be lit to this day.
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Prints & Downloads

Wisconsin Lighthouse Photos

Map

Alfred B. Finch, a Civil War veteran, served as the first head keeper at Wind Point

Location

From Highway 32 roughly 3 miles north of the harbor in Racine, turn east on Three Mile Road and follow it to where it turns left and becomes Lighthouse Road. Follow Lighthouse Road for just over a mile. You will pass through a golf course and the lighthouse will then be down a short road on your right.
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​​Google Maps HERE

History

Key Historical Highlights:​
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The Lighthouse Board felt that a lighthouse on Racine Point could help mariners avoid Racine Reef, which lies well offshore, and reduce the number of shipwrecks that had occurred near the point.

To warn mariners of Racine Reef, a red light was shown from a window in the watchroom. This light was modified in 1888 so that it was visible only over an arc of nineteen degrees and forty-five seconds. In 1897, a locomotive headlight replaced the previous light as the light for covering Racine Reef. The reef light was discontinued on January 24, 1907, after a lighthouse was established on Racine Reef.

​A circular iron oil house was erected on the station grounds in 1893 to store the volatile kerosene oil used for the light. The current concrete oil house was built in 1910.

Photography

EASY Access - You can pull your car up to the parking lot and walk a few yards to view the lighthouse.
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Its difficult to get photos of the lighthouse and the water of Lake Michigan at the same time.