Sand Island Lighthouse in the Apostle Islands
Located on the northern tip of Sand Island, part of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore
The Sand Island Lighthouse, located in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, was built in 1881 to improve navigation and ensure the safety of vessels traveling through this busy maritime region. The Apostle Islands were a hub of shipping activity in the late 19th century due to industries like logging, fishing, and quarrying.​

Prints & Downloads

Map

Keepers:

​Charles Lederle (1881 – 1892)

Location

If you own or rent a boat, you can navigate to Sand Island from Bayfield, Wisconsin, or other nearby harbors.
  • The trip is about 4.5 miles from the mainland at Little Sand Bay, the nearest mainland access point.
  • Be cautious of Lake Superior's weather and waves, as conditions can change quickly.
  • Kayaking to the Island is also popular.​
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​​Google Maps HERE

History

Key Historical Highlights:​
  1. In 1871, the Lighthouse Board requested funds to establish lights on Outer Island and Sand Island to mark, respectively, the eastern and western extremities of the Apostle Islands. Lighthouses had earlier been established on Michigan Island, Long Island, and Raspberry Island to help vessels navigate through the islands, but by this time most maritime traffic was bypassing the islands, headed for the booming port at Duluth, Minnesota.
  2. The lighthouse's location on Sand Island was strategic, as it helped guide ships around the Apostle Islands and marked the western entrance to the Apostle Islands archipelago. This was especially important because the islands and surrounding waters presented significant navigational challenges, including rocky shoals, unpredictable weather, and limited visibility due to fog.

    By providing a reliable light source, the Sand Island Lighthouse played a vital role in reducing shipwrecks and ensuring the safe passage of goods and people through one of Lake Superior's most active shipping corridors.
  3. Over the years, the Park Service has performed needed renovations of the lighthouse, which houses volunteers during the summer to welcome visitors.​

Photography
I suggest taking your panoramic photos from your boat.
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LENS - 24mm to 200mm would create great images.

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