North Point Light facts for kids
 |
|
| North Point Lighthouse in Lake Park | |
 North Point Lighthouse Museum
Location in Wisconsin
|
|
| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°03′56″N 87°52′17″W / 43.06556°N 87.87139°W |
| Year first lit | 1888 |
| Deactivated | 1994 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Cast Iron (1888) / Steel (1912) |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Height | 74 feet (23 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
The North Point Lighthouse Museum is a historic lighthouse built in 1888. It stands in Lake Park on the East Side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. This lighthouse helped guide ships safely into the Milwaukee River. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's an important historical site. It was also added to the Library of Congress Historic American Buildings Survey.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
The very first lighthouse on this bluff was built in 1855. It was made of Cream City brick and had a cast iron top where the light shone. This lighthouse was placed high up so ships on Lake Michigan could see it easily.
Why the Lighthouse Was Replaced
By the late 1880s, the bluff where the lighthouse stood was wearing away. This problem, called erosion, made the lighthouse unsafe. So, plans were made to build a new one.
Building the New Lighthouse
In 1888, a new lighthouse tower was built. It was 40 feet tall and made of cast iron. It was placed 100 feet back from the edge of the bluff. A home for the lighthouse keeper, built in the Queen Anne style, was also added. The top part of the old 1855 lighthouse was used on this new 1888 tower.
Making the Lighthouse Taller
Over time, trees in the park grew tall. They started blocking the lighthouse's beam from ships. To fix this, in 1912, the tower was taken apart. A new steel section was added to the bottom. The original 1888 part was then put back on top. This made the lighthouse 74 feet tall. Its light could now be seen from 154 feet above the water. This lighthouse is special because it combines parts from three different periods: 1855, 1888, and 1912.
How the Light Changed Over Time
When it first opened in 1888, the lighthouse used mineral oil to power its light. In 1912, it was changed to use coal gas. Then, in 1929, it became electric. The powerful lens inside made the light shine very brightly. It was like a 1,300,000 candlepower signal. Ships could see this light from about 25 miles away!
Becoming a Museum
The United States Coast Guard stopped using the lighthouse in 1994. In 2003, a group called the North Point Lighthouse Friends took over. They started working to fix up the tower and the keeper's home. A grant of $984,000 helped pay for this restoration. In 2007, the lighthouse re-opened to the public. Today, it is a maritime museum where people can learn about its history.
Images for kids
-
2012 photo
-
Stairs to tower
-
Plaque
-
USCG archive photo
-
2016 Aerial View
