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| Southport Lighthouse and keeper's house |
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| Southport Lighthouse map. Click for larger version. |
The roughly 0.12-mile round trip walk heads to Kenosha's famous Southport Lighthouse. Located on Simmons Island, the station affectionately is known as the "Old Kenosha Light."
To reach the lighthouse, from the intersection of Wis. Hwys. 32 and 158 in Kenosha, take Hwy. 32 north. Turn right/east onto 50th Street, crossing the harbor channel onto Simmons Island. As 50th Street curves right/south, it becomes Fourth Street. You'll pass the light station. As the street curves left/east, it becomes 51st Place; a parking lot is on the right/south side across from the Kenosha History Center.
After parking, cross the street to the history center and follow the sidewalk left/west to the lighthouse and keeper's house.
The lighthouse stands 55 feet tall, and because it's located on a hill, rises 74 feet above Lake Michigan.
Erected in 1866, Southport replaced two older lighthouses. It was part of a concerted effort to turn Kenosha into a major shipping port. At one time, it was the first light Great Lakes ships coming from Chicago would see in Wisconsin.
Built of yellow Milwaukee Cream City brick, the lighthouse originally boasted a Fresnel lens fueled by kerosene. The lens was taken out of use in 1906 when Southport's duties were taken over by the new Kenosha North Pier Light. Southport still was used, however, as a 25-foot tripod mast was raised atop it to display storm warning flags and lights.
The keeper's house was built at the same time and of the same material as the lighthouse. In 1907, a two-story porch and a two-story addition to the kitchen and bathrooms were added.
By the early 20th century, better harbors and railroad connections in Chicago, Milwaukee and nearby Racine, Wis., doomed Kenosha to being a minor port, and Southport's importance diminished.
Today, the lighthouse brings dollars into the community in ways other than shipping. It's a major local tourism destination as serves as a museum. The light station was restored in the 1990s, with an automated electric light added to the tower.
Summer weekends mark the best time to visit the light station, as the keeper's house and tower typically are open to the public.
After taking in Southport, hikers can extend their walk by heading to the nearby Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse. Follow the sidewalk east of the Kenosha History Center to the beach. The lighthouse sits at the end of the concrete pier for an additional 0.53 miles round trip walk.
Standing 50 feet high, the North Pier Lighthouse is made of riveted steel plates. The lighthouse still is in service after more than 110 years. It is privately owned and there are no tours of it. Maps, brochures and websites sometimes is referred to as the Pierhead Lighthouse or the Kenosha Lighthouse.
