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Outer Island, WI |
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Description:
The Outer Island Lighthouse was constructed in
1874 by O.M Poe, who six years later would
build a similar, but taller tower at Wind
Point, Wisconsin. The original fog signal,
built at the base of the bluffs near the
tower, was destroyed in 1874 when part of
the bluffs collapsed on the building. A
replacement fog signal was built atop the bluff
the next year.
The Outer Island Light Station is complete with a dock and tramway, a fog signal building with diaphone horns intact, and an oil house and privy. Inside the tower is a unique feature: a shelf, which during daylight hours could be inserted into the tower's double walls to hold the clockwork mechanism's weight and reduce the strain on the support cable. In its early days, hardly a tree was to be found on the bluff near the lighthouse. However, today, the view from the water is limited due to the trees that ring the edge of the bluff in front of the lighthouse. The sign on the station grounds reads: Outer Island Light Station was built in 1874 and for eighty years a U.S. Lighthouse Service Keeper and his assistants manned the station. Now, the radio beacon, telephone, fog signal ... and keepers are gone. Only a silent and impersonal automatic light flashes warnings to big ships on the horizon. Links: Outer Island Light Station Location: Located on the northern end of Outer Island, part of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore. Latitude: 47.0764 Longitude: -90.4168 For a larger map of Outer Island Lighthouse, click the lighthouse in the above map or get a map from: Mapquest. Travel Instructions: The Outer Island Lighthouse is best by going ashore on the island. Boat tours that pass by the island are offered by the Apostle Islands Cruise Service. The Lighthouse Celebration, held annually in September, provides an opportunity to land on the island and visit the lighthouse. The lighthouse is owned by the National Park Service. Grounds open, dwelling/tower open in season. Find the closest hotels to Outer Island Lighthouse See our List of Lighthouses in Wisconsin |
