In 1851 the U.S. Lighthouse Service obtained a two-acre site for $1000 from Wahl Avenue to the lakeshore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee for the construction of a lighthouse. On November 22, 1855 North Point Lighthouse and the adjourning Keeper’s Quarters were opened. The structure was built using local cream city brick. Though the tower was only 28 feet tall, built on a bluff so its beacon was 107 feet above the water level, it was the highest on the Great Lakes at that time. The lens was reported to be a Fourth Order Fresnel lens manufactured by Barbier, Benard & Turenne of Paris.
In 1868, the lantern room was rebuilt and original lens was replaced with the same kind as the original. By the 1870’s erosion affected 16 feet of the Lighthouse’s land to break loose, so the U.S. government decided to build a new lighthouse 100 feet inland to replace the original cream city brick lighthouse.
On December 20, 1887 the new lighthouse is completed and turned on for the first time 20 days later. The 1868 lens was placed in the new Lighthouse. Over the next 40 years the lighthouse went through several changes as the shoreline, nature and technology advanced. Over time funding became and issue but most important to its function it was no longer tall enough for its light to be effective as a way to guide sailor navigation.
In 1980 North Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters were placed on the National Register of Historic Lighthouses and four years later it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1994 the Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters were taken out of service and the original lens was removed and stored by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Beginning in the late 1990’s various groups, including community organizations in Milwaukee, the U.S. and local Parks department worked together to secure funding for restoration of the Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
From 1999 to 2003 Milwaukee County, the Water Tower Preservation Fund, and North Point Lighthouse Friends worked to obtain monies for restoration from the Transportation Enhancement Funding and worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on soil clean up of the Lighthouse grounds.
In 2004 restoration of the North Point Lighthouse begin and in 2006 was completed followed by the restoration of the Keeper’s Quarter in 2007 and now are a permanent part of Lake Park. This historic landmark is a wonderful example of the significance of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106 of the law that spells out decisional oversight through using advisory councils for both funding and use.
Even though the original 1855 cream city brick lighthouse does not exist anymore the North Point Lighthouse is very historic. It symbolizes the importance and significance of Milwaukee as a major port for goods on the Great Lakes.
North Point Lighthouse. , 1984. Web. 11 Sep 2011. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natregsearchresult.do?fullresult=true&recordid=145.
"Lighthouse History." North Point Lighthouse. North Point Lighthouse Friends, Inc., 2007. Web. 11 Sep 2011. http://www.northpointlighthouse.org/history.html.
I really found your choice to be interesting - not only as a lighthouse that is not close enough to the lake to be functional, but also as a rebuild of the original. I agree that this building should remain in the Register of Historic Places because it is old enough, it utilizes the original lens, and it serves as an educational tool for us for the history of its time and the time of the original lighthouse. The building serves as a story, a piece of history.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's great that this lighthouse was able to be preserved and restored because it showcases Milwaukee's important role during 19th and 20th century in importing and exporting goods. Many people view Milwaukee as a quaint little city known for beer, but it's nice to be reminded that Milwaukee was and is so much more than that.
ReplyDeleteSome things should stay around for the fact of being unique, and this is sure unique. The history of it, and how the surrounding land around it changed, tells a story of development and how areas will advance over time. I always remember my grandma talking about certain areas, saying this use to be that, or these areas use to be small businesses before a huge company took it over. The stories behind these types of areas is entertaining.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and interesting point referencing the location and erosion. The issues of physical terrain and how it can damage a structure is important. One of the major lighthouses in the country, the one on the Cape Hatteras Seashore also needed to be moved, but in a very different way.
ReplyDeleteBelow is the NPS link to the lighthouse move:
http://www.nps.gov/caha/historyculture/movingthelighthouse.htm