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Cana Island Lighthouse

F W🇺🇸Eastern Wisconsin, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cana Island Lighthouse

Constructed in 1869 and first illuminated that same year, Cana Island Lighthouse stands 24 meters tall with a focal height of 27 meters. Its white light is visible from this location in Eastern Wisconsin. The lighthouse was built to replace the original Baileys Harbor Lighthouse. The keeper's quarters, alongside the lighthouse itself, have been open to visitors for tours since the 1970s, managed by the Door County Maritime Museum. The island experienced significant storm damage on August 9, 2025, resulting in the loss of approximately 30% of its trees.

Why it matters: The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and remains an active navigational aid.

Background
The Cana Island lighthouse is a lighthouse located just north of Baileys Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. Along with the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, the lighthouse was built to replace the Baileys Harbor Lighthouse in 1869 and was first lit in 1870. It is still used as an active navigational aid under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Since the 1970s, both the lighthouse and its keeper's quarters are open for visitors to tour by means of the Door County Maritime Museum. On August 9th, 2025, the island was hit by a storm and suffered severe damage, with around 30% of the island's trees being lost.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F W
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Focal Height
27m

Construction & History

Year Built
1869
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5029153 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
24m

Location

City
Eastern Wisconsin
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
45.0882°
Longitude
-87.0482°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cana Island Lighthouse at night?+
Cana Island displays the characteristic F W. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Cana Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cana Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is EGG HARBOR at 10.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include WASHINGTON ISLAND (15.7 NM NNE), SOUTH BAY (16.2 NM NNE), STURGEON BAY (20.9 NM SW), Cedar River (22.7 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cana Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cana Island Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Cana Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cana Island Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.