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La Pointe Light
Longlite.jpg
La Pointe Light is located in Wisconsin
La Pointe Light
La Pointe Light
Location in Wisconsin
Location Long Island, Wisconsin
Coordinates 46°43′43.2″N 90°47′6.4″W / 46.728667°N 90.785111°W / 46.728667; -90.785111
Year first constructed 1896
Year first lit 1896
Automated 1964
Foundation Concrete
Construction Cast iron
Tower shape White, Skeletal with a central column
Height 65 feet (20 m)
Focal height 70 feet (21 m)
Original lens Fourth order Fresnel lens
Current lens 12-inch (300 mm)Tideland Signal ML-300 Acrylic Optic
Range 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi)
Characteristic Green, Isophase (Equal interval), 6 sec
ARLHS number USA-423
USCG number 7-15280

The La Pointe Light is a historic lighthouse found on Long Island. This island is one of the many beautiful Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. You can find it near the city of Bayfield in Ashland County, Wisconsin.

This important lighthouse is now owned by the National Park Service. It is part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a special park that protects these islands. The La Pointe Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's a very important historical site. It is one of the oldest "skeletal" lighthouses on the Great Lakes. It helped guide ships safely across Lake Superior for many years.

USCGlapointelight
USCG archive photo

A Look Back: The Old Lighthouse

Before the current La Pointe Light was built, there was an older lighthouse nearby. This first lighthouse was made of wood and had a square shape. It was built in 1858, about 3,000 feet (914 meters) west of where the new one stands today.

The light (or lens) from this old lighthouse was moved in 1897. It went to another lighthouse called the Chequamegon Point Lighthouse. The La Pointe Light is one of several important lighthouses in the Apostle Islands Lighthouses.

Visiting the La Pointe Light

Many of the lighthouses in the Apostle Islands are open for visitors. You can reach them by taking a water taxi from the Apostle Islands Cruise Service. Private boats can also visit during the summer months.

There's also a special event called the Annual Apostle Island Lighthouse Celebration. During this time, ferry tours are available to see all the lighthouses. When it's tourist season, friendly volunteer park rangers are often on the islands. They are there to welcome visitors and share information.

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