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Kenosha County Lighthouses Lighthouse

🇺🇸Kenosha, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kenosha County Lighthouses Lighthouse

The Kenosha lighthouse is a 16-meter round brick tower built in 1866, featuring a replica lantern painted black and an attached two-story brick keeper's house. The original structure was established in 1848, but the first two towers, built in 1848 and 1858, were demolished due to soft bricks. The current lighthouse ceased official operation in 1906, though the keeper's house remained in use until about 1940. Threatened with demolition in 1955, the lighthouse was transferred to the City of Kenosha. A replica lantern was installed in 1994, and restoration of the keeper's house began in 2005, with its first floor opening as a museum in 2010.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is significant as an example of community-led preservation, having been saved from demolition by local advocacy. It now serves as a museum offering a connection to Kenosha's maritime history.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
black
Material
brick

Structure: A 16m round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story brick keeper's house. The tower is unpainted, and its replica lantern is painted black.

Location

City
Kenosha
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Wisconsin
Sea Region
Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the southeastern corner of Wisconsin adjoining the Illinois state line, on Simmons Island Road
Latitude
42.5894°
Longitude
-87.8160°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1866

Significant events: Station established 1848, first and second lighthouses (1848, 1858) demolished due to soft bricks, current lighthouse built 1866, inactive as official light 1906, original lantern removed 1913, keeper's house remained in service until about 1940, scheduled for demolition 1955 but transferred to City of Kenosha, Lighthouse Preservation Committee formed 1989, replica lantern installed 1994, keeper's house purchased and restoration began 2005, first floor of house opened as museum May 2010, 150th anniversary celebrated August 2016

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kenosha(0.5 km)
ARLHS No.
USA-912
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does Kenosha County Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kenosha County Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kenosha at 0.4 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Pleasant Prairie (6 NM S), Racine (8.9 NM NNE), Waukegan (13.1 NM S), GREAT LAKES (16.9 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kenosha County Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kenosha County Lighthouses 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 Kenosha County Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kenosha County Lighthouses 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.