Cana Island, WI

Photographer: Marcia Adamski

Cana Island

Door Peninsula, WI

Built : 1870

Type : Conical brick / cast iron

Status : Active

Location : 5 miles North of Bailey Harbor in Door County.

Height : 81 feet

Access : Foot via causeway.

Directions : North of Bailey's Harbor from Hwy 57, Turn right onto CR-Q county road. follow 3 1/2 mile to Cana Island Road. Turn right (South) and follow to end of pavement. Park and continue on foot for a few blocks distance.

History of the Light : Located between Moonlight Bay and North Bay on the Eastern side of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, this light worked to ships navigate into both harbors.

The conical brick light tower is white in color and covered with steel plates. These were attached in 1901 to help prevent deterioration of the tower. It stands 88 feet tall overall with a 10-sided lantern. The Third-Order Fresnel is now fully automated, exhibiting a flashing white beacon. A one-story, rectangular brick house with a gabled roof stands nearby. Also still standing are the brick outhouse and an oil storage shed.

In October of 1880, a violent storm created waves on Lake Michigan so large that they were breaking over the top of the keeper's house. The unprotected location of this light station has it very susceptible to these conditions.

The lighthouse grounds are maintained by the Door County Maritime Museum. A gravel causeway built during the First World War allows access to the Island.