Wind Point in Racine County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pier and Boat Rails
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 8, 2013
1. Pier and Boat Rails Marker
East of the oil house are the remains of a T-shaped pier which jutted into the lake. The "Hyacinth", a Coast Guard tender, would dock there periodically to bring supplies, kerosene, the "library book box" and a welcome visit from "Spot", a friendly dalmation dog. A set of small iron rails resembling railroad tracks led from a boathouse on shore to the end of the pier. Since, in the early days of the Wind Point Lighthouse, the roads were rough, rutted and often impassable, the keepers and their families frequently used the light station's boat to row to downtown Racine for church and shopping. The boat was mounted on a trolley cart (see photo) so the keepers could push it on the rails to the end of the pier. They would then use a hoist to lift it from the trolley, swing it over the water and lower it in.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 46.866′ N, 87° 45.473′ W. Marker was in Wind Point, Wisconsin, in Racine County. It could be reached from Lighthouse Drive.
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Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee. It was also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Fuel House (here, next to this marker); The Fuel House and Former Boat House Site (here, next to this marker); Schooner Kate Kelly (within shouting distance of this marker); The Foghorn Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Fog Horn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Surf Boat Rail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Architect (within shouting distance of this marker); The Light (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wind Point.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Capstan (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . The Racine Lighthouse and Maritime Preservation Society. Society website homepage:
Formerly "Friends of the Wind Point Lighthouse" (Submitted on October 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 8, 2013
2. Pier and Boat Rails and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 8, 2013
3. Pier Remnants at Wind Point
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 588 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2023, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
