Wisconsin Lighthouses

A symbol of Wisconsin's maritime tradition, the lighthouse evokes images of a bygone era. This full-color guide will take you to 48 lighthouses from around the state, including the shores of Lake Superior, Lake Winnebago, Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Included are details on the history and construction of each light.

“Lighthouses are a reflection of the human spirit and a mirror to our past.”—from the Introduction No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin’s rich maritime traditions than the lighthouse. These historic beacons conjure myriad notions of a bygone era: romance, loneliness, and dependability; dedicated keepers manning the lights; eerie tales of haunted structures and ghosts of past keepers; mariners of yesteryear anxiously hoping to make safe haven around rocky shorelines. If these sentinels could talk, imagine the tales they would tell of ferocious Great Lakes storms taking their toll on vessels and people alike. In this fully updated edition of Wisconsin Lighthouses, Ken and Barb Wardius tell those tales, taking readers on an intimate tour of lighthouses on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Winnebago. Both delightful storytellers and accomplished photographers, the couple complement their engaging text with more than 100 stunning color photographs, along with dozens of archival photos, maps, documents, and artifacts. Detailed “how to get there” directions, up-to-the-minute status reports on each light, and sidebars on everything from lighthouse vocabulary to the often lonely lives of lightkeepers make this the definitive book on Wisconsin’s lighthouses.

Illustrating the unique character of the state through a combination of facts, stats, and history, as well as the unusual and quirky! Beer, cheese, lakes, rivers, cabins, and cities. With a diverse geography, beautiful natural wonders, and vibrant cities, tourism naturally plays a major role in Wisconsin’s economy, and its nickname, “America's Dairyland,” speaks to the importance of agriculture. Of course, cheeseheads abound in Green Bay and throughout the state, as do the Effigy Mounds—burial mounds—in the form of animals or birds of the Woodland Indians. The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book takes an in-depth look at the state’s variety, along with its fascinating history, people, myths, culture, and trivia. Covering its industries, politicians, arts, media, culture, and, of course, sports dynasties and legends, it brings the state’s past and present to life. Learn about the earliest people in the Great Lakes area, the Paleo-Indian People, French explorers, traders, the Paul Bunyan “myth,” today’s numerous ethnic festivals, including Brat(wurst) Days, Polka Days, Cheese Days, and the Wisconsin Highland Games. Uncover surprising fun facts like Brett Farve's first forward pass for the Packers was caught by ... Brett Favre! From log-rolling, the state capital in Madison and its politics, famous breweries, major manufacturers Kohler Company, Johnson Controls, John Deere, Caterpillar Inc. and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Willem Dafoe, Georgia O’Keeffe, the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer, Al Jarreau, and other notable people and places, The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book answers to nearly 1,400 questions the Badger State’s unique and interesting history, people, and places, including: Why is Wisconsin called “Wisconsin”? How much snow falls in Wisconsin? What is the Wisconsin state dance? Which Native American tribes called Wisconsin home? Was there a Civil War POW camp in Wisconsin? How did log rolling become a sport? Why was the Oleomargarine Act supported by nearly every farmer in the Dairy State? What was the Day the Music Died? How many acres of State Forests does Wisconsin have? Was Paul Bunyan a real person? Where is the Pabst Mansion located? What is the most popular attraction in the state? How many beer festivals are there in Wisconsin? Where is Roundy’s headquartered? Which waterway is most important to Wisconsin? Which political party held sway in Wisconsin when the state was formed? What caused so much controversy in the redistricting of 2010? What is unique about Wisconsin’s capitol building? Where did the Green Bay Packers get their name? How much did each winning player make for playing in Superbowl I? How much milk does it take to make one pound of butter? How many towns in Wisconsin claim to be the UFO Capital of the World? The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book answers these and more intriguing questions about people, places, events, government, and places of interest! It's an informative and fun look at the Badger State, people, history, and culture.

The Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque of any lighthouses still operating on the Great Lakes today. The beautiful peninsula of Door County has a long and bountiful tradition of maritime history, including its many lighthouses. Cana Island has illuminated the coastline on the Lake Michigan side of Door County for over 100 years. Cana Island's story involves bricks and mortar, engineering marvels, and, most noteworthy, people. The dedication of Cana's keepers and their families over the years was remarkable. Countless mariners relied on them. Lighthouse life could be challenging, at times tedious, but also extremely rewarding. Most visitors will agree that Cana Island is indeed an extraordinary place. The Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque of any lighthouses still operating on the Great Lakes today. The beautiful peninsula of Door County has a long and bountiful tradition of maritime history, including its many lighthouses. Cana Island has illuminated the coastline on the Lake Michigan side of Door County for over 100 years. Cana Island's story involves bricks and mortar, engineering marvels, and, most noteworthy, people. The dedication of Cana's keepers and their families over the years was remarkable. Countless mariners relied on them. Lighthouse life could be challenging, at times tedious, but also extremely rewarding. Most visitors will agree that Cana Island is indeed an extraordinary place.

Several lighthouses have called Racine home, but none is more synonymous with the nautical heritage of the "Belle City" than Wind Point. Always a beehive of activity, the Wind Point Lighthouse is one of the larger lighthouse complexes on the Great Lakes, and a hardworking keeper, two assistants, and their families made their livelihood here. For over 125 years, the tall stately tower has faithfully stood guard, shining its bright beam out over Lake Michigan nightly. Countless mariners relied on the Wind Point Lighthouse, along with a booming trademark foghorn for safe passage. Today the Wind Point Lighthouse is the most well-known symbol of Racine and is a success story among Great Lakes lights. A devoted friends group, in partnership with the Village of Wind Point, sees that the legacy and history of the Wind Point Lighthouse is preserved for future generations.

Lake Winnebago has a rich history as a major settlement area in the Midwest, and a significant part of its times gone by involved water transportation for both commerce and passengers. Throughout its history, the 137,700-acre lake has been home to six current lighthouses, two navigation lanterns that have long disappeared from the landscape, and one that was scheduled to be built but never came to fruition. History has forgotten a few, but Lighthouses of Lake Winnebago will take you on a trip around the largest lake within Wisconsin's borders and show you the familiar, while introducing you to the forgotten.

From the Mississippi River bluffs and backwaters to the forests of the great Northwoods, there is a world of natural beauty, often hidden and frequently undiscovered. Author Tim Bewer has traveled the state in search of the best of these outdoor treasures. This guidebook describes more than 150 of Wisconsin's best outdoor treasures places to hike, canoe and kayak, bicycle, view wildlife, take a scenic drive, cross-country ski or snowshoe, or just enjoy the solitude of rushing waterfalls, clear lakes, scenic bluffs, and deep forests.

Jutting out of Wisconsin into the blue waters of Lake Michigan, the scenic peninsula of Door County is endowed with the longest coastline of any county in the nation. Since the mid-1800s, the region has boasted a strong maritime industry, dependent on the constant vigilance and efforts of U.S. Coast Guard units. The county has been home to as many as 12 historic light stations, as well as three life-saving stations. Beginning with Pottawatomie Light in 1837 and Sturgeon Bay Canal Life-Saving Station in 1886, keepers and surfmen survived both boredom and peril to ensure safe navigation and commerce, while rescuing those in distress. Through archival photographs, stories of shipwrecks, rescues, service, and pride spring to life. Rare rescue images of the Otter, a schooner which wrecked in 1895, are especially noteworthy.