To assist navigation around the point into Racine harbor, the Wind Point lighthouse began functioning in 1880 with a kerosene lamp, focused and magnified by a third order Fresnel lens. The light could be seen over 19 miles.

At 108 feet, it is one of the tallest and oldest lighthouses still serving navigation on the Great Lakes. Its fog horns, which last sounded in 1964, could be heard for 10 miles.

In recognition of the key role this lighthouse has played in the maritime history of Racine county, it was placed on the National Reister of Historic Places in 1984.

In 1997, the National Park Service awarded ownership of the property to the Village of Wind Point. The Coast Guard still maintains the light as a public navigtion aid.

Erected in 2002 by Friends of Wind Point Lighthouse in memory of Judge Richard G. Harvey, Jr.

 

All images are Copyrighted by Gary Martin, 1996-2002. No images can be downloaded or used for any purpose without premission in writing from the copyright holder.