Lighthouses of Wisconsin -  Kenosha Southport
5117 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140​
 There are two lighthouses in Kenosha and both have excellent qualities.  The Southport lighthouse is shown on the left side of this photo while the Kenosha Pierhead lighthouse can be seen in the distance on the right side.  The Southport lighthouse is a museum.  The Pierhead lighthouse is an Art gallery.
​

Prints & Downloads

Map

Location


The Southport Lighthouse, built in 1866, is the third government lighthouse built on Simmons Island, formerly Washington Island. It was the first navigational light a mariner would see upon entering Wisconsin from Chicago. It was operational until 1906.
​
​​Google Maps HERE

History

Key Historical Highlights:​
​
The Kenosha Southport Lighthouse, built in 1866, is the third government lighthouse built on Simmons Island, formerly Washington Island, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

Back then, Kenosha was known as Southport — because the area was the southern most port in the Wisconsin territory on Lake Michigan. In that year, 61 steamboats and 80 schooners called on the village. A lighthouse was needed in order for these ships to find the village at night. The first lighthouse was an oak stump cut ten feet off the ground with a wooden platform, lined with rock, built on top. On this, a fire was lit each night during the shipping season.

Photography

EASY Access - You can pull your car up to the parking lot and walk a few yards to view the lighthouse.
​
Anytime during the daylight is good to visit this lighthouse.  A 20mm to 50mm lens would be ideal.