Cana Island Lighthouse
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.
The keeper’s quarters, privy, and tower were the first buildings and were made of cream city brick, but the brick of the tower deteriorated quickly because of storms and icy winters. In 1902, a steel cladding was added to the tower to protect it from further deterioration. The lighthouse is located on the 8.7-acre Cana Island connected to the mainland via a rocky channel. Depending on the lake level the channel can be covered with 1–3 feet of cold Lake Michigan water. Originally, only wood walkways on top of rocks and a little dirt covered the area around the buildings. But starting in 1900, top soil was hauled in by a crew of men with eight teams of horses and wagons. Six weeks later they were ready to begin covering the area with grass. There is a stone sea wall on the east end of the island.
The tower is 89 feet tall in all. 79 feet 3 inches from ground level to focal plane of the light. The light is approximately 85 feet above water level, and has a visual range of 17 nautical miles.
Where it is:
Located four miles northeast of Baileys Harbor, halfway between North Bay and Moonlight Bay. From Baileys Harbor, take Hwy 57 north 1/2 mile, turn right onto County Hwy Q. Proceed approx. 3.5 miles, turn right onto Cana Island Road. Follow the road to where it ends at the lighthouse. Small lighthouse signs will guide you along the way.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
45°5’18.1206″ N 87°2’53.4666″ W
Cost:
Adults — $12 and includes entrance to the island, keeper’s quarters and light tower.
Youth (5-17) — $10 and includes entrance to the island, keeper’s quarters and light tower.
Children 4 & under — free
Active Military and Family (up to five members) — free
Members — free
Access to the Island is free of charge before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Hours:
Cana Island Lighthouse Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Wisconsin
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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Great Places for Great Photos
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Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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