Kenosha in Kenosha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Kenosha (Southport) Lighthouse

Photographed By Mike Nicholls, February 18, 2008

1. Kenosha (Southport) Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. Built by the federal government in 1866, the Kenosha Lighthouse replaces two other lighthouses constructed at this site in 1848 and 1858. Originally designated a coast and harbor light for Southport, now Kenosha, WI provided the first navigational illumination a mariner would see upon entering Wisconsin from the Chicago area. Standing 55 feet tall and situated on a hill, the lighthouse projected light from 74 feet above lake level. The tower is built of yellow Milwaukee Cream City brick and is conical in shape. Originally the lighhouse contained a fourth order Fresnel lens fueled by kerosene with a fixed-white light which varied by flashes. Officially discontinued in 1906, the lantern room was later removed and replaced by a 25-foot tripod mast for displaying storm warning flags and lights. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, the lighthouse has been restored and holds an automated electric light.

Erected 2000 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 437.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the Wisconsin, Kenosha City Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location.

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42° 35.377′ N, 87° 48.969′ W. Marker is in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in Kenosha County. Marker is on Lighthouse Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5117 4th Avenue, Kenosha WI 53140, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Simmons Island Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southport-Kenosha (about 600 feet away); Simmon's Island Beach House (about 700 feet away); Remember Pearl Harbor (approx. 0.2 miles away); Naval Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The United States Marine Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); Operations Desert Shield / Storm Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kenosha.

Also see . . . Southport Light Station. Kenosha History Center website. (Submitted on June 6, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Kenosha (Southport) Lighthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Nicholls, February 18, 2008

2. Kenosha (Southport) Lighthouse and Marker

Photographed By Kevin W., February 18, 2008

3. Kenosha (Southport) Lighthouse and Marker

Kenosha Light Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 7, 2013

4. Kenosha Light Station Marker

City of Kenosha Landmark #77
On Light Keeper's House

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,623 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on March 30, 2020, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 8, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.