From Sturgeon Bay, I drove the east side of the Peninsula to Bailey’s Harbor. Suddenly I wished I had my puppy, Bailey, with me so I could take her to her harbor and get a picture of her under the town sign. But no such luck. Instead, I toured Bailey’s Harbor and stepped onto the beaches of Ridges Road County Park. The beautiful tan beach overlooks the harbor, marina and has several trails that lead to the Bailey’s Harbor Range Lights. As you walk along the winding trails and cross Ridges Road, you see 21 foot white, tower, which is the Bailey’s Harbor Front Range Light and the shortest lighthouse in Wisconsin. This range light has a four-sided base with an octagonal second story fitted with a small rectangular window that faces the harbor.
Built in 1869, first lit in 1870, a red light beams out of the small window, which assists sailors when they line up this red light with the rear white light that shines from the rear range light. Located 950 feet from the front range light, a white, rear range light stands, resembling a small country church or schoolhouse.
A stunning yet daunting boardwalk paves the way between the two lights and is framed with evergreens, trees, and other brush. When you first begin walking down the boardwalk, you feel like you are never going to get to the schoolhouse/church lighthouse. But take your time, soak in the peaceful scenery and suddenly the lighthouse grows taller and more details of it become clearer. It is a white, red-roofed story and a half home with an inviting porch that has a cupola on the top that houses the lantern. I snapped a few photos and began the long walk back down the boardwalk to Ridges Road.
Built in 1869, first lit in 1870, a red light beams out of the small window, which assists sailors when they line up this red light with the rear white light that shines from the rear range light. Located 950 feet from the front range light, a white, rear range light stands, resembling a small country church or schoolhouse.
A stunning yet daunting boardwalk paves the way between the two lights and is framed with evergreens, trees, and other brush. When you first begin walking down the boardwalk, you feel like you are never going to get to the schoolhouse/church lighthouse. But take your time, soak in the peaceful scenery and suddenly the lighthouse grows taller and more details of it become clearer. It is a white, red-roofed story and a half home with an inviting porch that has a cupola on the top that houses the lantern. I snapped a few photos and began the long walk back down the boardwalk to Ridges Road.
Once I got back to my truck, I followed Ridges Road to Old Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouse. This lighthouse seemed rather tricky to find especially as I ended up hiking through prairie grasses and brush to get close enough to photograph it. While I was hiking out there, I realized I may not have found the best access point, but I was already committed to my path so I continued. When I came to edge of the water, I stopped and snapped a few pictures of the lighthouse. The Old Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouse stands 52 feet high and is a conical stone structure with a birdcage lantern. The tower is connected to a small stone home; however, I was not able to see it because of my location. I mostly was able to see the deteriorating birdcage lantern. Old Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouse is one of a few surviving lighthouse with a birdcage lantern room. According to Wisconsin Lighthouses, there is one on Lake Ontario and two on Lake Michigan.
By the time I finished hiking back to the truck, my time was up in Bailey's Harbor, and I needed to make my way to Fish Creek to catch the sunset at Sunset Park. So unfortunately I was not able to make it over to the Cana Island Lighthouse on Friday…one short of my goal. However, I knew all was not lost because I still had Saturday and Sunday to get over to Cana Island. Finally my opportunity came on Sunday just before we left Door County, and yes, you guessed it, I made Dad, Chris and Cassie go with me. Chris and Cassie hung out by the van, while Dad and I hiked over the causeway and through the woods to get to Cana Island Lighthouse.As one emerges from the wooded trail, a beautiful white, steel, 89 feet tall, tower stands proud over the harbor dwarfing the yellow brick house below it.
Originally the tower was made of the same brick as the house, Milwaukee Cream City brick, but was encased in steel to preserve the integrity of it. Inside the tower is a ninety-eight step spiral staircase (I’ll pass on climbing those). The house is a 1 ½ story dwelling, open for public tours, that provided enough space for the keeper, an assistant and their families to live. Dad and I were able to walk inside the home, tour both floors, read historical accounts of the lighthouse’s significance, and watched a video on its history.
Outside, surrounding the tower and house is a rocky beach that has trails which lead up to the buildings. I found the rocky beach to be quite beautiful and serene, a place I could have spent all day at watching the waves splash over the rocks.
However a light rain started to fall which cut my reveling of the scenery short. Luckily Dad and I got back to the van before it started to pour. The rain concluded my tours and picture taking of the Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouses. The Cana Island Lighthouse is definitely a new favorite…close tie with the Sherwood Point Lighthouse and the Rawley Point Lighthouse. I enjoy knowing that I have found some new favorite places to listen to the waves, take in beautiful scenery and find a little inner peace. Prior to these three locations, one of the only other places I go to experience the same peace and calm is at 7 Mile Lake in Eagle River, WI.
Surprisingly, I have one more lighthouse stop to share and then I have completed my lighthouse hop of Door County, minus the ones located on the islands…that’s next year’s project. So until next time, take care and I’ll talk to you soon.
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