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Grosse Point Lighthouse

2601 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA

Name and Location

Grosse Point Lighthouse is an historic aid-to-navigation located in Evanston, Illinois, on the Lake Michigan shoreline. The address is 2601 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Cook County, IL 60201, USA.

Construction and History

The Grosse Point Lighthouse was erected in 1873 to guide mariners entering the Chicago harbor. It has a long history of guiding ships for over a century and today stands as a landmark museum operated by the City of Evanston's Parks Department. The lighthouse was first illuminated in 1873 with a three-wick kerosene lamp and silvered reflector.

Architecture and Materials

The tower is constructed from brick/concrete masonry, typical of 1870s lighthouses. While exact materials are not detailed in available records, the construction method is well-documented. The tower height is 36 feet, with an elevation (focal plane) of approximately 183 feet above lake level.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is Fl(1) W, period 15 s (one white flash every 15 seconds). The original nominal range was about 17 nautical miles on a clear night. The lighthouse is designated as a National Historic Landmark ("nhl": yes).

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds are open to visitors, but tower interior tours are subject to seasonal scheduling. Please consult the City of Evanston Parks Department or official website for up-to-date hours and any admission fees.

Notable Views and Landscape

Panoramic views from the top offer a sweeping view north toward Wilmette and south toward Chicago's skyline. The surrounding landscape features grassy bluffs, promenades, and beachfront in Milburn Park.

Further Information

For further information, please visit the following links: Wikipedia, Wikidata, National Register details and NHL summary, Archival source: National Archives, Catalog ID 28892264.

Details

NameGrosse Point Lighthouse
CityEvanston
CountryUsa
Coordinates42.0638948, -87.6760214
Year of construction1873
Eventsmany maritime events
Storiesships entering the Chicago harbor
Construction material"brick/concrete masonry"
Focal height183
Tower height36
Heritage statustrue
Access descriptiongrounds open to visitors; tower interior tours subject to seasonal scheduling
Accessibletrue
Landscape typegrassy bluff, promenades, and beachfront in Milburn Park
View descriptionsweeping views north toward Wilmette, south toward Chicago’s skyline
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiesinterpretive displays, occasional guided tours, panoramic views of Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan
Light characteristic"Fl(1) W, period 15 s"
Light range17