Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse

The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse is located at the Coast Guard Station southeast of the city of Sturgeon Bay. It is situated on the north side of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal near the Lake Michigan entrance. This is one of two lighthouses marking the entrance to the canal, the other being the red Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light. Construction of this lighthouse began in 1898 and the light went into service in 1899. The 78-foot-tall lighthouse has a unique double walled steel cylinder design. This design was problematic; the tower would vibrate in strong winds so much that it affected the operation of the light. In 1903 steel braces were added to stabilize the lighthouse. The lighthouse was automated in 1972.

Parking is available near the U.S. Coast Guard Station, but visitors are not allowed on the Station’s grounds except for one time a year during the Door County Lighthouse Festival which is held on the second weekend in June.