The Lighthouse Keepers Hat at Door County's Pottawatomie Lighthouse Museum on Rock Island

Pottawatomie Lighthouse, also known as the Rock Island Light, is located in Rock Island State Park on Rock Island in Door County, Wisconsin set atop... more

by Carol Toepke

Title

The Lighthouse Keepers Hat at Door County's Pottawatomie Lighthouse Museum on Rock Island

Artist

Carol Toepke

Medium

Photograph - Digital Image

Description

Pottawatomie Lighthouse, also known as the Rock Island Light, is located in Rock Island State Park on Rock Island in Door County, Wisconsin set atop a 137 foot bluff. The lighthouse was named after the Native Americans who had inhabited the area which basically meant "keepers of the fire". Established in 1836, it is the oldest light station in Wisconsin and on Lake Michigan. It was served by civilian light keepers from 1836 to the 1940s, at which point it was taken over by the US Coast Guard. It was demolished in the late 1850s and replaced by the existing lighthouse. The current building was first lit in 1858 and continued as an active aid to navigation until 1988, when it was replaced with a modern skeletal tower and automated system. It is the oldest lighthouse in Door County. The lighthouse was restored by the Friends of Rock Island Lighthouse. It is open for tours during the summer as the Pottawatomie Lighthouse Museum. The lighthouse has been restored to a state illustrating its appearance circa 1882-1910. The restoration was performed with the help from the non-profit Friends Of Rock Island State Park. It now serves as a museum that is open for tours daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day 10am to 4pm. In 2004, volunteer docents began living in the lighthouse for week-long stints from Memorial Day to Columbus Day while providing free tours to the public. To complete the restoration of the lighthouse, a replica fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in the lantern room in May of 2005. The lighthouse was listed as Pottawatomie Lighthouse in the National Register of Historical Places in 1979, as reference #79000074. The fresnel lens, lost after the lighthouse was shut down in the late 1980s, was replaced by a plexiglass copy in 1999. Several notes: Door County has the most lighthouses of any Wisconsin county. Visiting Rock Island requires a commitment of at least a day, and is as difficult as any location to get to in Wisconsin. As you can see it is well worth the trip. However there is no place to stay on the island other than camping. It is at least a 1 1/2 mile hike up hill to the lighthouse the hike is not for the meek or elderly or anyone not sure of footing...there really is not an official or well laid out trail. There is a restroom facility and an area for obtaining fresh water down by the Thordason's Boathouse, where the ferry docks. Other than that, everything must be brought along with you if you plan to stay for more than a few hours.
Getting there:
In the Door Peninsula: Highway 42 north to its terminus at the Northport Ferry pier. Book passage on the Washington Island Ferry Line's car ferry "SS Robert Noble" for thirty minute crossing to Washington Island. The trip offers distant views of Pilot Island, Plum Island and Detroit Island.
Upon arrival at Washington Island, drive north on Lobdell Point Road, which becomes Main Road. Take Main Road north, thence right on Jackson Harbor Road. Follow Jackson Harbor until you reach its end at the Rock Island Ferry dock. Park your vehicle. Board the Rock Island Ferry. Vehicles are not allowed, and this is solely a passenger ferry named "Karfi" for the 15 minute trip to Rock Island. You will have to follow trails for about a mile or more. Ask for directions. "When encountering any branches in the trail along the way, always take the left branch, staying atop the bluff to the lighthouse."

Uploaded

June 25th, 2013