Bailey's Harbor Lower Range Light

Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin, USA

Lake Michigan

The Bailey's Harbor Range Lights were built in 1869. They replaced the old Bailey's Harbor Light, which was built in 1852. They protected against reefs and shallows at the entrance to Bailey's Harbor, which is located on the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin. The Upper Range Light (not shown) shone 39 feet above water level; the Lower Range was set at 22 feet above the water. The Upper Range once had a Fifth Order Fresnel lens; the Lower Range a steamer lens. Both were converted in 1923 to an unmanned acetlyene gas system. In 1930, they were electrified.

At the time these lights were built, Bailey's Harbor was a busy lumbering town. It shipped cordwood, cedar posts and poles, and tanning bark. A safe harbor was critical to commerce there, as the first road into this area wasn't built until 1870!

In 1934, the Bureau of Lighthouses deeded the grounds (about 30 acres) and the buildings to the Door County Park Commission. They are now part of the Ridges Sanctuary, a private nature preserve. In 1990, both Range Lights were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information, contact the Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey's Harbor at (920) 839-2820. The lights are not open to the public, but may be seen from hiking trails for a small fee.