Between 1977 and 1995, much of the restoration and maintenance was completed by summer caretakers Rosie and Louie Janda. And even though the ride across the causeway was short, it was definitely a novel way of getting from one point to another to drive through the lake! Cana Island Lighthouse. But my companions and I didn’t mind — it only added to our sense of adventure. William Jackson, the first keeper, officially lit the light on January 24, 1870. Cana Island Lighthouse & Tower remains one of the Door County’s premier tourist attractions despite the fact that the island is occasionally, once again, a true island. The light, now powered by electricity, is turned on automatically at dusk and off at dawn, and still shines out across the water to guide sailors as it has done since Keeper Jackson first lit the light in 1870. Cana Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway when water levels are low. This navigational aide is one of only three of its kind remaining in the U.S. Cana Island’s cast iron lantern atop the tower has two levels, the watch room at the top of the tower surmounted by the lantern room containing the lighthouse’s lens, which is a third order Fresnel lens built in Paris, France. Access to the island is via a causeway. “The plan is to take the home back to the late 1920s and early 1930s and then fully furnish it with period pieces of furniture that the keeper’s family would have used when they lived there,” he said. Several years ago, as Lake Michigan's waters rose, the Door County Maritime Museum, which owns and operates Cana Island, added a tractor that … The third phase of the restoration effort includes building a new visitors’ center, which will feature interactive exhibits, a museum shop and admissions office. The high water over the past four years has left a narrow 200-yard causeway, between the mainland and the island, submerged. Plum and Pilot islands near Green Bay also have lighthouses, but the buildings were abandoned for long periods of time and are not in good condition, he said. All rights reserved. Cana Island is an island in Lake Michigan in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The historical structures on the island are maintained by the Door County Maritime Museum under the jurisdiction of the Door County Park System. It was replaced 150 years ago by the 89-foot Cana Island Lighthouse and the Baileys Harbor Range Lights. To help halt the flooding, in 1890 the Lighthouse Board ordered the filling in of nearly one-half acre of low swampy land surrounding the lighthouse. Restoration of the lighthouse and other buildings on the Cana Island property began about a decade ago and are ongoing. For those who prefer to stay dry, the museum operates free haywagon rides to transport people to the island. In 1902, the deteriorating condition of the brickwork prompted the Lighthouse Board to encase the tower in steel plates. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It is located near Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. If the water is warm enough and the winds fairly calm, some choose to wade. One of the loveliest spots was Cana Island with its impressive lighthouse . The tower was then painted white. Located near Bailey’s Harbor, Cana Island is an 8.7-acre island in Door County. Keeper Oscar H. Knudson built the stone wall at the edge of the lawn around the lighthouse. Next on the agenda is fundraising for renovation of the interior of the keeper’s house and the lighthouse, which Wilson said could take up to 24 months. “The island is just a giant rock with a little bit of dirt on it. or tables are allowed (however folding/lawn chairs are permitted). It is now one of 11 working lighthouses on the peninsula and can cast a beam of light 18 miles into Lake Michigan from its original Fresnel lens. 8800 E Cana Island Road. Today, from the outside, no evidence remains of the tower’s brick construction. Cana Island is a unique little island that’s bounded by the waters of Lake Michigan on just three sides. A three-hundred-foot-long natural causeway links Cana Island to the mainland and is a convenient way for visitors and workers to travel to the light, but it can at times be flooded due to the constantly fluctuating level of Lake Michigan. Because Lake Michigan is near record height levels, the causeway that connects the mainland to Cana Island is now covered with about 18 inches of water. The tower, which has a spiral staircase to reach its Fresnel lens and exterior walkway, was encased in metal in 1902 after the brick began to deteriorate due to exposure to the elements. Much of that wood was loaded on ships that docked in Baileys Harbor on the east side of the peninsula. google.com Bounded by water on just three sides and attached to the mainland by a 60’ causeway, Cana Island is technically a peninsula. Wilson said the Cana Island Lighthouse was completed in late December 1869, but wasn’t lighted until the following spring. Open Daily 120 North Madison Avenue The shallowness of the waters around the island cause storm waves to break offshore, but this only partially lessens their effect. Open Daily, 10am - 5pm The Cana Island Lighthouse is approachable by a narrow causeway-parking is along Cana Island Rd. Wilson said part of the project has been delayed by wet weather, but the roughly 1,900-square-foot structure should be finished sometime in October. The Fresnel lens is in good working shape, even though Wilson said errant geese have crashed through windows in the tower twice and slightly damaged some of the many pieces of ground glass that make up the lens. Wilson said his favorite part of working at the Cana Island Lighthouse is climbing to the top of the tower and gazing out on the surrounding water and the neighboring peninsula, where deciduous trees are now beginning to change color. Near the Door County village of Baileys Harbor, the shining white Cana Island Light is one of Lake Michigan's prettiest. Once on the island, you’ll find a calm, serene place that encourages walks along the beach, mid-day naps on the grass and picnic lunches. Located between Fish Creek and Ephraim, that park sees nearly 1 million campers, hikers, bikers, birders and other tourists annually. Keeper Clifford Sanderson lived on Cana Island as a child and returned as a keeper. Kayaks are a common mode, but most choose a less than two-minute ride in the wagon. No structures (arches, canopies, tents, etc.) January - March 10am-4pm In the late 1870s and early 1880s, Keeper Warren Sanderson and his family experienced several very dramatic times when storms flooded the area around the lighthouse with water several feet deep. on the roadway. It has been called “the invention that saved a million ships.”. When World War II broke out, the Coast Guard took over Cana Island Station and has maintained the light ever since. In the 1860s, the logging trade was booming in Door County and large swaths of virgin forest were being felled to provide timber for the rapidly growing cities of Milwaukee and Chicago. Baileys Harbor, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, May through October. At other times, waters flooded the cellar and ran through the kitchen. The entire complex was built of cream-colored Milwaukee brick. But Wilson said lighthouse aficionados can also walk across the causeway if they are willing to get a little wet. The island, accessible by a short walk across a causeway, is open to the public a half-hour before sunrise till a half-hour after sunset. May 1-October 31, 12724 West Wisconsin Bay Road © 2020 www.jsonline.com. The causeway leading to Cana Island is a natural feature, although at times foot bridges have connected the island to the mainland. Once funds were appropriated, a Lighthouse Board crew began clearing about three acres at the eastern end of the low island. “It’s spectacular,” he said of the vista. The shallowness of the waters around the island cause storm waves to break offshore, but this only partially lessens their effect. Hotels near Cana Island Lighthouse: (3.99 mi) Blacksmith Inn On the Shore (2.54 mi) Gordon Lodge (9.01 mi) Double S Lodge (7.61 mi) Bay Breeze Resort (9.14 mi) Wagon Trail Campground; View all hotels near Cana Island Lighthouse on Tripadvisor The Cana Island lighthouse is a lighthouse located just north of Baileys Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The last hay wagon ride over the causeway leaves from the mainland parking lot at 4:15 p.m. and the last tower climb begins at 4:30 p.m. Tours cost $12 for adults and $10 for youth ages 5 through 17 (children 4 and under are free). No food or beverages are allowed on Cana Island. Developed by French physicist and engineer Augustin-Jean Fresnel, the first Fresnel lens of its kind was used in 1823 in the Cordouan lighthouse on France’s Atlantic coast. Danna is an inhabited tidal island connected to the mainland by a stone causeway at the southern end of the Tayvallich peninsula, which separates Loch … Even though the wagon was a good two feet above the water, my pants became soaked during the outing. The Cana Island buildings are open from 10AM to 5PM daily with an admission charge and an additional fee for the 97-step climb to the lighthouse tower and its stunning view of Lake Michigan. Visitors can walk to the lighthouse, though recent higher water levels make it more of a wade than a walk. Wear boots or shoes you can get wet, as you never know when things will change. Projects already completed include adding new restroom facilities, a maintenance building, tower repainting, repairing of a copper roof and restoring outbuildings such as the unusual, six-sided limestone oil house, a privy and barn. The lighthouse is located on the east side of the island on a section that juts into the lake, exposing the light to extreme weather. Both are popular spots for visitors, have been extensively restored and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The crew built, on a rock foundation, a 42 ‘ x 20 ‘ story and one-half keeper’s dwelling, and an 8’ x 10 ‘ covered walkway connecting the dwelling to the light tower. The birdcage, built in 1852, still stands today on a small island, but is not open to the public. Few of the many visitors to Cana Island today realize that the tower and dwelling were originally constructed of the same cream colored brick. Take a flight to Cana Island Lighthouse through the eye's of an Eagle. Door County Maritime Museum & Cana Island Lighthouse Ride a haywagon across the rustic stone causeway to take in the beauty of this remote island and its majestic lighthouse. The Cana Island Lighthouse was built in 1869 and wasn’t automated until 1944. Cana Island is "attached" to the mainland by a small causeway that may or may not have water covering it, depending on tides, rain, snowmelt and more. Located near Bailey's Harbor in Door County, the 200-yard causeway is flooded with about three feet of water, making it difficult for travelers to walk to the island. For more, see dcmm.org. In 1869, the tower was the tallest brick structure in Door County. “Then in the late '70s, the Janda family became involved as caretakers with the Maritime Museum and they did a lot of repair work fixing the roof and windows.”. The focal plane of the lens is 75′ above the base of the tower and approximately 82 ‘ above lake level. The popular lighthouse will be open until the end of October and will be featured in the Fall Door County Lighthouse Festival, Oct. 12-13. Perhaps this is because it looks most like what people think a lighthouse should look like. 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