Kenosha North Pier Light facts for kids
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| Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse | |
 Kenosha North Pier Light
Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Kenosha, Wisconsin |
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| Coordinates | 42°35′19.7″N 87°48′30.83″W / 42.588806°N 87.8085639°W |
| Year first constructed | 1906 |
| Year first lit | 1906 |
| Foundation | Concrete pier |
| Construction | Cast iron |
| Tower shape | Frustum of a cone |
| Markings / pattern | Red, black lantern and parapet |
| Height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Focal height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | 9.8-inch (250 mm) Tideland Signal acrylic optic Fresnel lens |
| Range | 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) |
| Characteristic | Red, Isophase, 6 sec |
| ARLHS number | USA-416 |
| USCG number | 7-20415 |
The Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse, also known as the Kenosha Light, is a cool lighthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It stands tall near the city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. This lighthouse looks a lot like the Milwaukee Pierhead Light. It was built in 1906 to replace an older lighthouse. In 2008, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site!
Contents
History of the Kenosha Lighthouse
The first lighthouse at this spot was built in 1856. Over time, several lighthouses were needed here. This was because old structures got damaged by nature. Also, the piers were made much longer, so new lighthouses were needed.
Building the Current Lighthouse
The lighthouse you see today was built in 1906. It is 50 feet tall and has a gently sloped shape. A round lantern room sits at the very top. The walls are made from strong cast iron plates.
Inside, the first floor is about 12 and a half feet wide. A curved iron staircase leads up to the second floor. The third floor holds special weather equipment. This equipment is connected to the lantern above. A steel ladder then goes up to the lantern room. This room now has a modern light made of clear plastic.
Lighthouse Features and Changes
This lighthouse is on the north pier. The United States Coast Guard lists it as the Kenosha Light. Today, it is painted bright red. But in the past, it was painted white! The piers next to it also had lighthouses. Now, they just have simple round navigation lights. Old buildings for fog signals and raised walkways have all been removed.
Lighthouse Ownership Changes
In June 2008, the Coast Guard decided they no longer needed the Kenosha Pierhead Lighthouse. They offered it for free to groups like local governments or non-profit organizations. No group came forward to take it.
So, in 2011, the lighthouse was put up for auction. Heather McGee and John Burhani bought it. Now, the lighthouse is used as an art studio and gallery. It's called the Kenosha Lighthouse Studio. They sometimes have art shows that are open to everyone. You can find more details on their website. The studio can also be rented for special events like dinners or meetings.
Visiting the Kenosha Lighthouse
If you want to see the lighthouse, go to Kenosha. Cross the bridge on 50th Street to Simmons Island. Then, follow the road down to the beach. From the beach, you can walk out onto the pier. You can see the outside of the lighthouse up close. However, it is not open for people to go inside.
