Continuing my travels towards Door County, I finally reached the threshold – Sturgeon Bay! My exploration of Sturgeon Bay was focused on two structures: the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse and the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light. (Since I had already visited the Sherwood Point Lighthouse, the third lighthouse in Sturgeon Bay, I only visited these two in order to quicken my trip.) Next time I go back to Sturgeon Bay, I definitely want to do more sightseeing and shopping as well as visit the Door County Maritime Museum.
Interesting notes about these two lights are that they are a stone’s throw from each other and are both operated by the Coast Guard, which is very apparent when you arrive. In fact there is a specific sidewalk for visitors with a painted yellow stripe down the middle, stating “Public” on one side and “Private” on the other. If you cross the line onto the private side, you are trespassing.
Once you overcome the fear of walking on the wrong side of the yellow line, viewing the lighthouses is enjoyable and slightly adventurous. The first one you notice will be the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse, a white steel tower standing a proud 98 feet. Outside of the white tower is steel lattice braces to support the tower. Inside the tower is a winding staircase complete with 115 interior steps. At the top sits a cast iron lantern room with a watchroom underneath it that has four porthole-style windows to pier out. The light inside the lantern room flashes white and red lights alternately, which is now automated. This lighthouse was built in 1898-1899, with a steel support structure added in 1903.
After viewing the Ship Canal Lighthouse, I took the walk down the Public/Private sidewalk and spied the red Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light with its forever-long black steel catwalk. Feeling adventurous yet hesitant, I walked out on the concrete breakwater under the catwalk towards the red 2.5 story lighthouse to get a better view. Before one walks out onto the breakwater, you feel that there is enough room for you to walk and not fall off or get wet. Then you start the walk, people are passing on the other side and suddenly the 20 feet wide breakwater feels like a tightrope and you are getting splashed. Recognizing that time was not on my side, I made it three-fourths of the way down the breakwater, snapped some pictures, and high-tailed it out of there!
This big red lighthouse was built in 1903, replacing one previously built in 1882. It stands strongly on a concrete island with the catwalk extending over to it. Facing out to the lake is a tower with an octagonal lantern that houses a sixth-order Fresnel light that displays a fixed red light. Surprisingly enough, at one time in its early history, the lighthouse was white instead of red. Personally I like the red structure, and it harmonizes nicely with the Ship Canal Lighthouse up on the hill.
Before I sign off on my trip about the Sturgeon Bay Lighthouses, here is a little history about the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. This canal connects Sturgeon Bay with Lake Michigan and was constructed in 1872 to support maritime traffic. Finally completed in 1881-1882, the 11-mile long passage cost approximately $300,000. The canal cut about 70 miles of travel off mariners’ trips to Milwaukee or Chicago, and allowed them to avoid Porte des Morts (Death’s Door or Door of Death) at the north point of Door County, in between Plum Island and the Peninsula.
Knocking off two lighthouses with one stop, I climbed back in the truck, made a pit stop, and followed Highway 57 to Bailey’s Harbor for more lighthouse viewing. So until next time, take care and talk to you soon!
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