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Kenosha Light

5117 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140, USA

Name and Location

Kenosha Light is located at 5117 4th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140, USA, situated on Lake Michigan's shoreline.

Construction and History

The Kenosha Light was built in 1866 to guide ships navigating the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan. It was one of the first lighthouses built on the Great Lakes and played a vital role as an aid to navigation. In 1990, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for its historical significance.

Architecture and Materials

The Kenosha Light is a cylindrical tower with a height of approximately 70 feet and a diameter of about 18 feet. The tower is made of brick with a brownstone base providing a sturdy foundation. The lantern room sits atop the tower, housing the original First Order Fresnel lens. The building's design is reminiscent of other 19th-century lighthouses along the Great Lakes' shoreline.

Light and Navigation

The Kenosha Light features a distinctive architectural style characterized by its cylindrical shape and rusticated stone base. Originally equipped with a First Order Fresnel lens, it provided a bright, focused beam to illuminate the surrounding waters.

Accessibility and Visiting

Today, the Kenosha Light has been converted into a museum and education center, managed by the Kenosha Historical Society. Visitors can explore the tower and learn about its rich history through exhibits and interactive displays.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Kenosha Light is situated on Lake Michigan's shoreline, offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape.

Technical and Operational Details

Further Information

  • National Register of Historic Places: Kenosha Light Station (1990)
  • Kenosha History Center: Kenosha Light
  • Wikipedia: Kenosha Light

Details

NameKenosha Light
CityKenosha
CountryUsa
Coordinates42.5894571, -87.815707
Websitehttps://kenoshahistorycenter.org/lightstation.html
Year of construction1866
Historic significancerole in maritime history and as a vital aid to navigation
Storiessymbol of Kenosha's maritime heritage
Architectural stylecylindrical with rusticated stone base
Construction materialbrick
Tower height70
Heritage statustrue
Renovationsmajor restoration project in the late 1990s
Accessibletrue
Landscape typecoastal
View descriptionLake Michigan's shoreline
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiestoilets, café, gift shop
Opening hoursnull
Nearby attractionsKenosha History Center
Automatedfalse