Outer Island Lighthouse
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Name and Location
The Outer Island Lighthouse is located in La Pointe, Wisconsin, USA, guiding mariners through the treacherous waters of Lake Superior since its construction in 1896.
Construction and History
The Outer Island Lighthouse was constructed in 1896 as a historic beacon to aid navigation on Lake Superior. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (#77000145) in 1997, recognizing its significance as a contributing element to the Lake Superior Maritime History.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse stands at a height of 27 feet (8 meters) and features a distinctive white tower with a red lantern room. The structure is made of wood with a clapboard exterior and features a pyramidal shape.
Light and Navigation
The lighthouse's light characteristic is Fl (3) W.15s, indicating that it emits white light every 15 seconds with three flashes. The light has a range of 12 miles (19 kilometers) and stands at an impressive 130 feet (40 meters) above the water level.
Accessibility and Visiting
Although no longer an active aid to navigation, the Outer Island Lighthouse has been converted into a museum and educational center. Visitors can access the site through guided tours, which provide insight into the lighthouse's rich history and the surrounding maritime environment.
Notable Views and Landscape
From the top of the lighthouse, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscape. The site is located on an island, surrounded by the lake's waters, making it a unique and picturesque location.
Anecdotes and Folklore
The Outer Island Lighthouse has been the subject of local folklore and legend, with stories of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences circulating among locals.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse was designed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service, a federal agency responsible for constructing and maintaining lighthouses across the United States.
Further Information
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (May-October)
- Entrance fee: $5.00 per person
- Guided tours available upon request
Nearby attractions:
- The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center (located in Duluth, MN)
- The Aerial Lift Bridge (also located in Duluth, MN)
Managing Authority:
The Outer Island Lighthouse is managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Details
| Name | Outer Island Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | La Pointe |
| Country | Usa |
| Coordinates | 47.0766461, -90.4167705 |
| Year of construction | 1896 |
| Events | Guided ships during the Great Lakes' shipping boom of the late 19th century, Activated foghorn for the first time in 1918 |
| Keeper stories | The original keeper was a local fisherman who took pride in his role as the lighthouse's caretaker |
| Stories | Local folklore and legend, stories of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences circulating among locals |
| Architectural style | Pyramidal shape |
| Architect | U.S. Lighthouse Service |
| Construction material | Wood |
| Focal height | 130 |
| Tower height | 27 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Access description | Guided tours available upon request |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | Island |
| View description | Breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscape |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | Toilets, Café, Gift shop |
| Entrance fee | 5 |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (May-October) |
| Nearby attractions | The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, The Aerial Lift Bridge |
| Light characteristic | Fl (3) W.15s |
| Light range | 12 |
| Automated | false |