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| Devils Island Lighthouse is Wisconsin's northern most light. |
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| Devils Island topo map. Click for larger version. |
The northern most of the Apostle Islands, Devils Island Lighthouse is difficult to reach as tour boats usually don't stop there, though they may pass. Boaters and sea kayakers, however, will find several landing spots on the island.
A good route for hikers is to land on the island's southwestern shore where there's a small man-made harbor. From there, head to the wooden boathouse and take the 1-mile (one way) South Landing Trail north. It follows the track of the old tramway across the island.
Passing through an old growth forest, you'll be amazed by the size of the trees. A brief section of the trail also runs alongside a bog.
The route is fairly flat, starting at 638 feet above sea level at the harbor, rising and dropping a half-dozen feet a couple of times, and finally ending at the light station, which sits at 628 feet atop a stout bluff overlooking Lake Superior.
Last built
Devils Island was the last of the Apostle Island light stations constructed.
In 1891, a red brick, two-story Queen Anne-style keeper's dwelling and a steam fog signal building were completed, but a temporary tower of wooden timbers housed the station’s non-blinking red light.
During 1897, a two-story, brick and shingle house was erected for the assistant keeper as construction began on a permanent tower, an 82-foot high cast iron cylinder. Though the tower was completed the following year, a lens didn't arrive for three more.
Lake Superior's high winds frequently shook the new tower, sometimes extinguishing the lamp. During 1914, external braces were added to stabilize the cylinder.
Just as Devils Island was the last light station built, so it was the last one to be manned. The Coast Guard kept a five-man crew on the island until the station was automated in 1978. Today the light can be seen up to 13 miles away.
Also at the light station are a dock, two oil houses, a radio beacon, a tramway, and a brownstone tramway engine building.
Other trails
In addition to the light station, three other trails can be explored.
Two are alternate landing sites to the southern shore's harbor. The 0.5-miles West Landing Trail links a boat landing at a rocky ledge on the island’s northwest corner with the lighthouse. The 0.05-miles East Landing Trail runs from a rock ledge on the island's northeast corner to the lighthouse.
In addition, a 0.4-mile looping nature trail runs west of the lighthouse through the forest. Part of it rambles along the island's northwestern corner.
During summer, a volunteer lightkeeper usually staffs the station with tours of the tower available between 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
