Apostle Islands Lighthouses facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Apostle Islands Lighthouses
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The original Michigan Island light, one of the six lighthouses listed
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| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Nearest city | Bayfield, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | U.S. Lighthouse Service |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000145 |
| Added to NRHP | March 8, 1977 |
The Apostle Islands in Wisconsin are home to several old and important lighthouses. These lighthouses stand tall on or near the islands in Lake Superior. Six of them are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In 1977, they were all listed together as a special group on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical sites.
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Apostle Islands Lighthouses: Guiding Ships Home
Lighthouses are like giant flashlights that help ships find their way. The Apostle Islands lighthouses are usually found at the edges of the islands. They act as beacons, guiding ships safely through and around the many islands.
Why Lighthouses Were Needed
The need for these guiding lights grew a lot after 1855. That's when the Soo Locks opened. These locks connected Lake Superior to the Saint Lawrence Seaway in the east. This made it much easier for ships to travel between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
More ships meant more traffic. Cities like Duluth and Superior also grew bigger. In 1886, Ashland opened its first ore dock. This meant even more ships were carrying iron ore across the lake. All this extra shipping made the lighthouses even more important for safety.
Famous Lighthouses of the Apostles
People who study lighthouses really love the ones in the Apostle Islands. One historian, Terry Pepper, said they are "one of the more interesting" groups of lighthouses in the United States. Another expert, F. Ross Holland, called them "the largest and finest single collection of lighthouses in the country." Many tourists also enjoy visiting these historic structures.
Here are the lighthouses that were included in the 1977 historical listing:
- Michigan Island Lighthouse (built in 1857, there are actually two lighthouses at this spot)
- Raspberry Island Lighthouse (built in 1862)
- Outer Island Lighthouse (built in 1874)
- Sand Island Light (built in 1881)
- Devils Island Lighthouse (built in 1891)
Other Lighthouses Nearby
There are other lighthouses in the area too. However, they are not part of the main Apostle Islands Lighthouses listing. These include:
- La Pointe Lighthouse and Chequamegon Point Lighthouse (listed together as the La Pointe Light Station)
- Ashland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse (this one is nearby but not technically in the Apostle Islands)
- Gull Island Light on Gull Island
Keeping Them Bright: Restoration Efforts
In 2013, big projects started to fix up several of the Apostle Islands lighthouses. These efforts help make sure these important historical buildings stay strong and bright for many more years.
Further Reading
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Northern Wisconsin". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Busch, Jane (2008) People and Places: A Human History of the Apostle Islands. National Park Service.
