Rawley Point Lighthouse
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Rawley Point Lighthouse
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Rawley Point Lighthouse is in Point Beach State Park just north of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. It is located on a prominent point of land that is a major threat to navigation on Lake Michigan's western shore. Up until 1956 it was known as Twin River Point Light.
In 1894, the current erector style lighthouse arrived from Chicago where it had previously been the Chicago River Pierhead Light on the Chicago Harbor. It was extended in height to 113 feet, making it the tallest octagonal skeletal light tower on the Great Lakes and placed next to the existing Keeper's House. The light tower replaced a deteriorating 1874 brick lighthouse which was torn down, leaving only the bottom floors that were then incorporated into the Keeper's living quarters.
The lighthouse is designed with 8 corner post and a complex network of horizontal struts and diagonal tie rods. Rising up through the center is an iron stair cylinder that allows access to the top lantern room and gallery. It was originally equipped with a Fresnel lens, and then an airport beacon light which was manually operated until it became fully automated in 1980. The current optic system was installed in 1987 and can be seen by ships from 28 miles away.
The Keeper's House is now a vacation cottage for Coast Guard personnel.
Copyright 2016 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
June 11th, 2016
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