Calumet Harbor Light & Calumet Pierhead

Calumet Harbor Light - Calumet

Station Established: 1853

Active Beacon: Yes
Under Federal Ownership: Yes - future uncertain
Lighthouse Accessible to Public: No
Tower Accessible for Climbing: No
Museum on Site: No

The plain, modern lights that mark Calumet Harbor today reveal little about Calumet’s earlier lighthouses and the colorful personalities that staffed them. The first light was established built in 1853 at a cost of $4,500 using stone quarried in Blue Island and transported down the Little Calumet and Calumet River by barge. A.G. Golton served as the first keeper. However, ship captains heading for the Chicago River were confused by the new light, and due to numerous protests, the light was extinguished on July 28, 1855. The lighthouse was sold at auction for $125, but in 1870 the government wanted to reactivate the light and had to buy it back for $10,000. The light shone again from the shore for three years, until it was replaced by a pier light. As the harbor works were improved, this light was moved in 1884 and rebuilt in 1898. This mural shows both the 1853 lighthouse and pierhead light.

Mary M. Ryan is the most notorious keeper of the Calumet Lighthouse. Following the death of her husband, she assumed responsibilities for the light on August 10, 1873. Mary Ryan remained at the post for over seven years.