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    Wind Point Lighthouse
    Wind Point Lighthouse
    Wind Point Lighthouse
    Ebook243 pages1 hour

    Wind Point Lighthouse

    By Barb Wardius and Ken Wardius

    ()

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    Several lighthouses have called Racine home, but none is more synonymous with the nautical heritage of the "Belle City" than Wind Point. Always a beehive of activity, the Wind Point Lighthouse is one of the larger lighthouse complexes on the Great Lakes, and a hardworking keeper, two assistants, and their families made their livelihood here. For over 125 years, the tall stately tower has faithfully stood guard, shining its bright beam out over Lake Michigan nightly. Countless mariners relied on the Wind Point Lighthouse, along with a booming trademark foghorn for safe passage. Today the Wind Point Lighthouse is the most well-known symbol of Racine and is a success story among Great Lakes lights. A devoted friends group, in partnership with the Village of Wind Point, sees that the legacy and history of the Wind Point Lighthouse is preserved for future generations.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9781439634868
    Wind Point Lighthouse
    Author

    Barb Wardius

    Barb and Ken Wardius have traveled throughout Wisconsin photographing lighthouses and researching the histories of these nautical treasures. They enjoy sharing lighthouse history and photography with others and are sought after lighthouse speakers. The Wardiuses� interest in lighthouses began at Cana Island nearly 30 years ago.

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      Book preview

      Wind Point Lighthouse - Barb Wardius

      (USCG).

      INTRODUCTION

      Lighthouses have served humankind for centuries. Since their earliest days in the ancient world, thousands of beacons have illuminated coastlines and harbors around the globe, guiding innumerable ships, people, and cargo to safe haven. Lighthouses stand for many different things to many different people. They can be symbols of dedication, bravery, duty, sacrifice, beauty, and history. Today most citizens think favorably when it comes to the subject of lighthouses.

      The United States has always been a worldwide leader in the business of lighthouses. One of the initial priorities of our fledging country’s opening Congress dealt with nautical commerce and safety, and logically, lighthouses. Originally, the president also made basic decisions regarding maritime beacons. As a result, hundreds of these sentinels ultimately dotted our shores and directed ships to various destinations. Eventually the entire East, Gulf, and West Coasts of the United States, as well as our inland seas, the Great Lakes, would be sprinkled with lighthouses. Today most lights still stand and they are icons of our nation’s maritime legacy.

      Great Lakes trade flourished in the 1800s as the developing nation expanded westward. These waterways have been responsible for conveying goods from the times of the first natives, through the course of European settlement, and continue to do so even today. Raw commodities of timber, mineral resources, foodstuffs, and other goods were economically transported well before our railway, road, and modern highway systems became more reliable and elaborate. Consequently, cities sprang up, harbors enlarged, river mouths were dredged, and considerably more lighthouse construction took place.

      Lake Michigan, the only Great Lake entirely within the boundaries of the United States, is a massive body of water. With hundreds of miles of coastline, the big lake demanded many new lighthouses to mark ports, warn of hazardous areas, and increase safety on this freshwater sea that can be unforgiving when storms brew. Even with lighthouses, however, hundreds of vessels and mariners perished sailing on the oftentimes dangerous Lake Michigan waves.

      Wisconsin is blessed with water connections to both Lakes Superior and Michigan as well as the mighty Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The Badger State is bordered on three sides with abundant water, and much of its culture and history are centered around these nautical ties. Second only to the state of Michigan in the highest number of lighthouses on the Great Lakes, Wisconsin boasts nearly four dozen beacons.

      The southeastern Wisconsin communities of Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine have been synonymous with Lake Michigan commerce for a long time. The Greater Racine area traditionally was an important hub of lake shipping since Native American canoes originally paddled here centuries ago. From its beginning days with connections to the Root River and Port Gilbert, through today with modern recreational and sport fishing vessels, scores of mariners have plied the surrounding waters. During this time, several Racine lighthouses were erected and have safely guided sailors in their journeys to and from this port. As harbor improvements were made, the inaugural Root River Lighthouse gave way to pier and breakwater lights as well as a one-of-a-kind reef lighthouse, directly east of the city in Lake Michigan.

      There is no lighthouse in Racine that is more synonymous with its extensive maritime traditions than Wind Point. Built in 1880, the lighthouse replaced a lone, windblown tree that history records warned vessels of the nearby shallow waters and shoals, as well as the protuberance of land that hides downtown Racine from southbound lake traffic north of the point. Appropriately named, there forever seems to be a breeze blowing at Windy Point.

      The Wind Point Lighthouse has always been one of our favorites, a striking, tall, grand beacon in a pleasant, parklike setting. Its long, storied past invited additional attention, exploration, and research, beckoning us to learn more of its story and especially the people who dedicated much of their lives here. This book is our attempt to give the reader as thorough a look as possible at the many facets of Racine’s most famous and familiar landmark. From yesteryear, today, and into the future, we hope you enjoy the journey of the Wind Point Lighthouse. We gave extra attention and special effort to insure the accuracy of this publication. At times there was some conflicting information and dates. Please accept our apologies for any errors or omissions. Please feel free to contact us regarding this book.

      Barb and Ken Wardius

      2240 West Marne Avenue

      Glendale, WI 53209

      414-228-8947

      E-mail: bkw@crestwoodcreek.com

      Internet: www.crestwoodcreek.com

      This late-19th-century map shows the states of Wisconsin and Michigan along with the majority of the western Great Lakes region. As the European expansion moved westward across the country, scores of lighthouses were built, and most ports in this vicinity flourished. Southern Wisconsin harbors, including the Greater Racine area, prospered from bustling maritime trade. (Courtesy U.S. Digital Map Library.)

      One

      MARITIME RACINE NAUTICAL HISTORY OF THE BELLE CITY

      In 1828, Capt. Gilbert Knapp anchored his boat near the mouth of the Root River on Lake Michigan and took a long look at the surrounding countryside. He believed strongly that the area would be excellent for settlement. He later returned here in 1834 and a year later founded Port Gilbert. Later the area would be called Racine. (Courtesy RHM.)

      Racine’s name comes from its early association with the Root River. Early French traders named it Les Racines, the roots, due to the many roots that tangled the river. Later the nickname the Belle City of the Lakes took hold. Belle is another French word that means beautiful. Racine was known then for its natural beauty. That designation still holds true today. (Courtesy FOWP.)

      In the 1850s, the Racine harbor was a bustling place. The Great Lakes were the super highways of the time. Road systems were not yet reliable, and the fastest way to move goods was by water. The artist incorporated several

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