Milwaukee Harbor entry north pier, SE corner of H.W. Maier Festival Park
Milwaukee Pierhead Light
12000971
Milwaukee Harbor entry north pier, SE corner of H.W. Maier Festival Park
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Summary
Milwaukee Pierhead Light
Milwaukee Harbor entry, north pier, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Date of construction: 1906
Architect: Office of the Engineer, Ninth Lighthouse District
The Milwaukee Pierhead Light is a 42 foot tall, steel conical tower lighthouse established as an aid to navigation in 1906. It stands atop the offshore end of the north pier at the entry to Milwaukee harbor from Lake Michigan. The light tower is built of eight courses of curved steel plates, each approximately three feet tall and fastened with rivets. Each successive course has a slightly smaller diameter, giving the tower a slightly tapering profile.
The nearby Breakwater Light's resident keepers maintained the Pierhead Light until 1966, when the Pierhead Light was automated. While automated, the light continues its role aiding mariners by marking the port's entry channel and the lighthouse continues as a reminder of the City of Milwaukee’s historical role as one of Lake Michigan's most important commercial ports.
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering,Event |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Maritime History,Engineering,Transportation |
| Period of Significance | 1906-1966 |
| Architectural Style | No Style Listed |
| Architect | Office of the Engineer, Ninth Lighthouse District |
| Resource Type | Structure |
| Historic Use | Water-Related |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 0 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 1 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 1 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jul 31, 2012 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Nov 21, 2012 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or have other questions about the registers, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Milwaukee Harbor entry north pier, SE corner of H.W. Maier Festival Park
245658
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Kenosha North Pierhead Light
Lake Michigan
This pierhead light is typical of many red pierhead lights marking the entrance to Lake Michigan harbors. It was built in 1906 and is at the end of the 750-foot concrete north pier in Kenosha. The ...
north pier at Kenosha harbor entry, .1 mile east of Simmons Island Park
08000545
Located in Kenosha, Kenosha County
Algoma North Pierhead Light
Lake Michigan
The first Algoma lighthouse was built at the harbor entrance in 1893. The red-painted steel tower that now marks the harbor entrance was built in 1932 during a federal harbor improvement project th...
In Lake Michigan at E end of South Pier at Kewaunee River mouth, 0.5 miles E of Route 42
100007998
Located in Kewaunee, Kewaunee County
Wahl St. at Terrace
84003732
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
