Two Rivers in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rawley Point Lighthouse

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

1. Rawley Point Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. On this prominent point of land, a major threat to navigation on Lake Michigan's western shore, Rawley Point Lighthouse was erected in 1894 and is the only one of its kind on the Great Lakes. The tower is a reconstruction and enlargement of an old Chicago River lighthouse that was transported to this location. Standing at 113 feet, this soaring structure is the tallest octagonal skeletal light tower on the Great Lakes and replaced a deteriorated 1874 brick lighthouse whose keeper's quarters remain at the site. The lighthouse is designed with eight corner posts and a complex network of horizontal struts and diagonal tie rods. Rising through the center of the lighthouse is an iron stair cylinder that accesses the top lantern room and gallery. Originally equipped with a Fresnel lens and then an airport beacon light, the lighthouse was manually operated until 1980 when it became fully automated. The present optic system was installed in 1987. The light can be seen by ships 28 miles away.

Erected 1995. (Marker Number 325.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.

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In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 44° 12.678′ N, 87° 30.568′ W. Marker is in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. It is on Park Road near County Road O, on the left when traveling south. Located within Point Beach State Forest. A state park sticker for free entrance; otherwise you will be charged a "day use" fee, even if you are there for only the few minutes it takes to photograph the marker and the lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9400 County Highway O, Two Rivers WI 54241, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 5 miles of this

Marker and Lighthouse Viewing Trailhead. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

2. Marker and Lighthouse Viewing Trailhead.

Closer parking to the lighthouse itself is just past the marker to the right.

marker, measured as the crow flies: Grover/Smith Cabin (approx. 1.3 miles away); Two Rivers' North Pier Lighthouse (approx. 4.8 miles away); Steamer Vernon (approx. 4.8 miles away); Steamer Continental (approx. 4.8 miles away); Schooner Rouse Simmons (approx. 4.8 miles away); Two Rivers War Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away); St. Luke Catholic Church (approx. 5.1 miles away); St. Luke Rectory (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Two Rivers.

Rawley Point Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

3. Rawley Point Lighthouse

View from end of lighthouse viewing trail.

The Lighthouse and Living Quarters. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

4. The Lighthouse and Living Quarters.

View from closest parking area. Looking East.

Looking North. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

5. Looking North.

Looking West image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

6. Looking West

The Lighthouse. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

7. The Lighthouse.

Photographed by Bob (peach) Weber, July 23, 2012

8. Rawley Point Lighthouse

Lighthouse Keepers Memorial. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, March 19, 2012

9. Lighthouse Keepers Memorial.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. This page has been viewed 936 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on July 28, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 19, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 8. submitted on July 29, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 9. submitted on March 19, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.