Sand Island Light (Wisconsin) facts for kids
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 Sand Island Light
Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Sand Island, Wisconsin |
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| Coordinates | 47°00′11.91″N 90°56′14.72″W / 47.0033083°N 90.9374222°W |
| Year first lit | 1881 |
| Automated | 1921 |
| Deactivated | 1933-1985 |
| Foundation | Stone |
| Construction | Sandstone |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Height | 42 feet (13 m) |
| Focal height | 56 feet (17 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | SeaLite LED Marine Lantern |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | White, flashing, 6 s |
| ARLHS number | USA-722 |
| USCG number | 7-15580 |
The Sand Island Light is a lighthouse located on the northern tip of Sand Island. This island is one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, found in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. It is near the city of Bayfield.
This lighthouse was designed similarly to other lighthouses built around that time. These included the McGulpin Point Light, Eagle Harbor Light, and White River Light.
Today, the National Park Service owns the Sand Island Light. It is part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical sites. The lighthouse also has a Norman gothic style building attached for the keepers.
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Building the Sand Island Light
In 1871, the United States Lighthouse Board asked the government for money. They wanted to build a lighthouse on Sand Island. This new light would help guide ships towards the Raspberry Island Light. It would also mark the western edge of the Apostle Islands.
However, the government said no for six years. Finally, in 1880, they agreed to build the lighthouse. An engineer was sent to start planning the construction.
The Sand Island Light was built using the same plans as three other lighthouses. But instead of brick, local Apostle Islands Brownstone was used. Workers dug a hole for the cellar. Then they built the 26 by 30 foot dwelling. A 44 foot tall tower was added to its western corner.
As the lighthouse was almost finished, a special light was put in. This was a fixed white Fourth Order Fresnel lens. A temporary keeper was chosen. The light first shone on September 25, 1881. The temporary keeper, Charles Lederle, became the permanent keeper the next year.
Life as a Lighthouse Keeper
After a while, Charles Lederle found island life too lonely. He was moved to be the keeper of Two Harbors Light in Minnesota. Emmanuel Luick, who was an assistant keeper on nearby Outer Island, took over. He moved to Sand Island with his wife, Ella, in January 1892.
In 1901, Emmanuel Luick became sick. Ella had to do all the lighthouse duties by herself. This showed how hard it was for just one keeper on Sand Island. The Lighthouse Board decided to add an assistant keeper. On May 22, 1902, Henry Irvine moved to the island.
In October 1903, Irvine was moved to Devils Island. Luick made his wife, Ella, his acting assistant keeper. But the next day, Edward Derry arrived as the new assistant. On April 30, 1904, Derry quit. Ella became the acting assistant keeper again. Ten days later, Frederick Hudson arrived as the new assistant. On May 9, 1905, Ella left the island by boat and never came back.
Emmanuel Luick married again, this time to Oramill. They worked at the Sand Island Light for 16 more years. During this time, Luick had twelve different assistants. The longest any assistant stayed was only two years.
Changes and Automation
By the late 1910s, ship routes had changed. The Sand Island Light became less important. In 1921, the Lighthouse Board made the tower automatic. This meant it no longer needed a keeper. Emmanuel Luick was moved to Grand Marais Light in Minnesota.
In 1933, the automatic light was taken out. The Coast Guard built a 50 foot tall steel tower in front of the lighthouse. The automatic light was placed on top of this new tower. This continued until 1985. Then, the light was put back inside the original lighthouse. The steel tower was removed.
Visiting the Lighthouse
You can reach most of the Apostle Islands lighthouses by water taxi. Private boats can also get you there during the summer. During the Annual Apostle Island Lighthouse Celebration, special ferry tours are available. These tours visit all the lighthouses. In the tourist season, volunteer park rangers are often on the islands. They are there to welcome visitors.
