Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light

The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light is located about five miles southeast of the city of Sturgeon Bay. The impressive red lighthouse is located on the north breakwater wall of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal on Lake Michigan. Parking is available near a U.S. Coast Guard Station, but visitors are not allowed on the Station’s ground. Visitors can, however, walk on the concrete breakwater wall to get a close view of the light. Visitors are not allowed to enter the lighthouse structures. The lighthouse can also be viewed from the sandy beach on the south side of the canal which is part of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve. There are also boat tours during the warmer months that provide views from the water.

The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light was built to mark the entrance to a canal to Sturgeon Bay. The canal was built to create a shorter and safer route to Green Bay. This allowed ships to avoid the dangerous northern route around the Door Peninsula commonly referred to as “Death’s Door.” The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light began operations in 1882, was renovated in1903, and was automated in 1972.