Wind Point Light facts for kids
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| Wind Point Lighthouse | |
 Wind Point Light
Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Wind Point, Wisconsin |
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| Coordinates | 42°45′52.122″N 87°45′29.995″W / 42.76447833°N 87.75833194°W |
| Year first lit | 1880 |
| Automated | 1964 |
| Construction | brick, Italianate bracketing |
| Height | 108 feet (33 m) |
| Original lens | Third Order Fresnel |
| Range | 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi) |
| ARLHS number | USA-894 |
| USCG number | 7-20605 |
The Wind Point Lighthouse is a tall and old lighthouse in Wind Point, Wisconsin. It stands proudly at the north end of Racine Harbor, right by the beautiful Lake Michigan. This amazing building is 108 feet (about 33 meters) tall!
It's one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses still working on the Great Lakes. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
The Lighthouse Story
The city of Racine had a lighthouse way back in 1837. But this first light wasn't very helpful for ships coming from the north. A piece of land called Racine Point blocked the light.
So, in 1870, the people in charge of lighthouses decided a new one was needed. They wanted to build it right on Wind Point. Money for the new lighthouse was approved in 1877.
Building the Lighthouse
The Wind Point Lighthouse was designed by a man named Orlando Metcalfe Poe. He was a Brigadier General during the American Civil War. The lighthouse was built in 1880.
Its light shone for the very first time on November 15, 1880. Back then, the light came from a special kerosene lamp. A powerful Fresnel lens made the light much brighter and easier to see.
Modern Changes
Over the years, the lighthouse got some upgrades. In 1924, the light was changed to use electricity. Later, in 1964, the old light was replaced with a modern airport beacon. This beacon stopped working in 2007 and was replaced again.
Today, you can still see some of the old lighthouse buildings. There's a signal house, a garage, and storage buildings. The Village of Wind Point has taken care of the lighthouse since 1964. They even use the old keepers' living area as their village hall and police station!
In 1997, the lighthouse and its park were officially given to the Village of Wind Point. The main rule was that they had to keep it as a historical landmark. You can even visit the lighthouse on certain days for a tour.
Recent Repairs
In the summer of 2007, the lighthouse tower got a big makeover. It cost about $210,000 to fix it up! Workers replaced windows and doors. They also repaired the brickwork and repainted the tower. This helped keep the lighthouse strong and beautiful for many more years.
Images for kids
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USCG archive photo
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The Wind Point Lighthouse and surroundings at sunrise
