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Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse

Occ G 4s🇺🇸Illinois, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse

This lighthouse is situated at the end of Government Pier in Waukegan, Illinois. Constructed in 1889, it was first illuminated in the same year. The tower stands 10.5 meters tall with a focal height of 11 meters. The structure underwent alterations in the early twentieth century when the pier was extended, which included the addition of a fog signal building. A fire in 1967 destroyed the light and fog signal, though the cast iron tower remained intact. Following the fire, the lantern and remnants of the fog signal house were removed, restoring the tower's original appearance.

Why it matters: The Waukegan Harbor Light continues to serve as an active aid to navigation, maintained by the US Coast Guard.

Background
Waukegan Harbor Light is a lighthouse at the end of Government Pier at the foot of Madison Street in Waukegan, Illinois. It was first built in 1889 and moved when the pier was extended in the early twentieth century. At that time a fog signal building was added to the tower. There was a serious fire in 1967. While the cast iron tower was undamaged, the rest of the structure, the light, and the fog signal were destroyed. The lantern and the remains of the fog signal house were removed so that it now looks the same as it did before the pier was extended. It remains an active light, owned and maintained by the US Coast Guard.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ G 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Focal Height
11m

Construction & History

Year Built
1889

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7975147 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10.5m

Location

City
Illinois
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
42.3606°
Longitude
-87.8135°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse at night?+
Waukegan Harbor displays the characteristic Occ G 4s — 1 green flash every 4 seconds. 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. The green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Waukegan at 0.7 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include GREAT LAKES (3.2 NM S), Pleasant Prairie (7.8 NM N), Kenosha (13.4 NM N), Ingleside (14.2 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Waukegan Harbor 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 Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Waukegan Harbor 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.