Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse

Sept. 17, 2019

Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse, Lake Michigan, near Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

First built in 1895, current structure built in 1918.

MANITOWOC NORTH BREAKWATER LIGHT

Location: LAKE MICHIGAN
Station Established: 1895
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1918
Operational? YES
Automated? YES 1971
Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: CONCRETE PIER
Construction Materials: STEEL FRAME
Tower Shape: CYLINDRICAL ON SQUARE HOUSE
Markings/Pattern: WHITE W/BLACK LANTERN
Relationship to Other Structure: INTEGRAL
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL 1918

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • The first breakwater light was built in 1895.
  • In 1902 a fifth-order Fresnel was installed.
  • In 1907 the harbor was dredged and new breakwaters were built.
  • When these were completed a new breakwater light was built in 1918 and a fourth-order Fresnel was installed.
  • In 1927 a radio beacon was added to the light.
  • In 1932 a fog signal was synchronized with the radio beacon.
  • In 1940 a telephone line and a new radio room transmitter was installed.
  • In the 1950s a new power cable was run to the light.
  • In 1971 the light was automated.
  • In 1985 the structure was added to the states Register of Historic Places.

Researched and written by Anne Puppa, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.