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| Grosse Point Light |
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| Grosse Point Light aerial map. Click for larger version. |
The brief 0.1-mile walk heads to an 11-story tower that guided ships along the Lake Michigan shoreline to Chicago Harbor. It sits north of Chicago, the king of ports on the Great Lakes.
To reach the lighthouse, from Interstate 94 in Evanston, exit onto Old Orchard Road and head east. At Gross Point Road, turn left/northeast then at Central Street go right/east. Turn left/north onto Sheridan Road and take the very next right/east. Park in the lot for the Harley Clarke Mansion. The lighthouse is south of the Clarke Mansion.
The 113-foot tower rises over a 3.5-acre site only a few hundred feet from what is now Lighthouse Beach. It protected ships from dangerous shoals just off the shore in Lake Michigan.
141 steps
After several shipping disasters near the point – particularly the 1860 sinking of the Lady Elgin, which claimed more than 300 lives – a lighthouse was constructed there in 1873. The lamp was lit the following year.
The keeper's quarters, made of Cream City Brick encased in concrete bracketing, follows the Italianate design. It is yellow with red trim and a red roof.
Its conical light tower stands on a concrete foundation. The tower consists of two walls with air space between them. The inner wall is 8 inches thick and rises vertically while the outer wall is 12 inches thick and slightly inclined. At the base, the tower is 22-feet around but narrows to 13 feet 3 inches at its parapet. Inside, 141 steps lead to the top. Glass and iron construction make up the lantern section, and the roof is copper sheeting.
In its heyday, the lighthouse flashed twice every 15 seconds. The light could be seen up to 21 miles away.
Tours and beach
The lighthouse was automated in 1935 and temporarily inactive from 1941-45, as a precaution against possible air raids. Since then it has served as a secondary navigational aid.
One local legend states that in 1674 explorer Father Jacques Marquette landed on Grosse Point. There is no historical evidence, however, that the landing occurred.
Despite Chicago’s rich maritime history and role as the largest Midwest port, Grosse Point is the only real lighthouse museum in the metro area. The grounds can be walked any time of the year with the keeper's quarters and the tower open on summer weekends. Tour sizes are limited to 12, and children under 8 years old are not allowed.
After taking in the lighthouse, you can extend the visit by heading to Lighthouse Beach. A path from the Clarke Mansion parking lot heads east to the sand beach.
