Name and Location

The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, also known locally as the Chicago Harbor Light, stands at the outer end of the north breakwater of Chicago Harbor on Lake Michigan. Its official name is Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, and it is located in Cook County, Illinois, USA.

Construction and History

The current iron-skeleton tower was constructed in 1893 to mark the entrance to Chicago's busy inner harbor. It replaced an earlier beacon erected in 1855. The lighthouse has undergone changes over the years, including a breakwater lengthening in 1917-18 and a slight repositioning of the tower. In 1979, it was fully automated by the United States Coast Guard, marking the end of resident keepers.

Architecture and Materials

The foundation of the lighthouse is a reinforced concrete pier set on granite blocks. The structure consists of a steel skeletal framework supporting a central riveted iron cylinder. The cladding is white painted steel plates. The tower stands 42 feet (12.8 meters) above its base, with a focal plane of 52 feet (15.8 meters) above lake level.

Light and Navigation

The characteristic of the lighthouse is flashing white every 10 seconds (Fl W 10s). The nominal range is approximately 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers). Originally, it had a fourth-order Fresnel lens, which has been replaced by a rotating beacon updated by the USCG. There is no fog signal, as harbor traffic uses shore-based signals.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is accessible via a walkable breakwater from the east end of Monroe Street or pedestrian paths along Lake Shore Drive. The interior is not open for casual tours, but visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and passing freighters and pleasure craft.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the breakwater, one enjoys stunning views of the Chicago skyline to the northwest, including Navy Pier, Museum Campus, and downtown high-rises. In the east, there is a wide expanse of Lake Michigan with passing ships and boats. During summer months, visitors can watch sunrises over the water.

Anecdotes and Folklore

According to keeper's logs from the 1920s, keepers once rowed through 8-foot waves to reach shore during dramatic storms. Local folklore suggests that the lightman's quarters were haunted by the spirit of a drowned steelworker – although no documented sightings exist.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the United States Coast Guard (District 9) and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (#74002162, added in 1974). It has been fully automated since 1979, with no radar or AIS transponder installed on the structure itself.