Cairo Point Lighthouse

A skeletal steel mast stands 4.5 meters tall at Cairo Point, displaying a red and white checkerboard pattern on its diamond-shaped daymark. At a focal height of 9 meters, it emits two red flashes followed by one red flash every 6 seconds, visible for 10 nautical miles. This structure is located in Cairo, Illinois, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, accessible via Fort Defiance Road off US 60/62. The site is managed by Illinois State Parks as part of Fort Defiance State Park, though the tower is closed to the public. Its simple design belies its function in guiding vessels through this significant inland waterway.

Why it matters: This light is critical for safely navigating the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, a complex waterway where powerful currents and shifting sandbars pose significant hazards. It warns mariners of the precise meeting point of these two major rivers, preventing groundings and collisions.