Agri-tourismBattle Creek

Racine North Breakwater & Racine Reef Tower

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Photo by: Ken & Barb Wardius

This light formerly marked the entrance to the harbor at Racine, Wisconsin. It has been replaced by a skeletal tower light. The light had been moved several times as the breakwater was extended and the harbor was developed. The light was originally connected to shore, near the keepers dwelling, by a raised catwalk. After its service was discontinued in 1987, the 53-foot iron tower was moved one last time and floodlit as a symbol of the City of Racine.

The keepers dwelling was part of the Racine Harbor Light. When the lantern was removed from the dwelling in 1901, the tower was capped with a gable roof.

A United States Life Saving Service (USLSS) station was built behind the keepers dwelling in 1883. Both buildings once served as USCG Station Racine, but are now privately owned.

Racine Reef Tower

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Racine Reef Light, a one-of-a-kind, was built on a reef offshore from Racine Wisconsin. It is long gone. The base still exists and has a small skeletal tower on it.

The light was built in 1905 and first lit in 1906. Electrified after 1939 and unmanned in 1954, the structure was demolished in 1961.

The fourth order lens in the Racine County Historical Museum.

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