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Chicago Harbor Light & Chicago Harbor Southeast Guide Wall
Chicago
Harbor Light - Chicago
Station
Established: 1832
Light Constructed: 1893
Active Beacon: Yes
Under Federal Ownership: Yes - future uncertain
Lighthouse Accessible to Public: No
Tower Accessible for Climbing: No
Museum on Site: No
Chicago
Southeast Guidewall - Chicago
Station
Established: 1832
Light Constructed: 1938
Active Beacon: Yes
Under Federal Ownership: Yes - future uncertain
Lighthouse Accessible to Public: No
Tower Accessible for Climbing: No
Museum on Site: No
Beacons have long guarded the mouth of the Chicago River in Chicago. The first light was built in 1832 and was one of the earliest on Lake Michigan. The current Chicago Harbor Light was constructed in 1893 and moved to the outer breakwater in 1917. The white and red lighthouse features a 48-foot tall tower, a fog horn house and boathouse.
A third order Fresnel lens with red and white flashing panels was installed after the Columbian Exposition of 1891. Originally built for Pt. Loma, California, the award-winning lens was installed in the Chicago Harbor Light instead. The light was automated in 1979. The original lens is now housed at the Cabrillo National Monument in California.
The Chicago Harbor Southeast Guidewall Light was built in 1938. The 30-foot-tall white steel skeleton tower is located on a guidewall between two smaller piers just south of Chicago's Navy Pier. It is one of many new light structures built in the modern era.
Directions:
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150
