Chicago Harbor Light

Chicago Harbor Light
Location Chicago, Illinois
Year first constructed 1893, moved 1919[1]
Year first lit 1893[1]
Automated 1979[1]
Foundation Rubble stone with concrete pier
Construction Brick, cast iron and glass
Tower shape Cylindrical base/Frustum of a cone tower, with attached buildings
Markings / pattern White, red on roofs
Height 66 ft (20 m) tower[2]
Focal height Focal plane – 82 feet (25 m)[3][4]
Original lens Third-order Fresnel[1]
Range 24 miles (39 km)[5]
Characteristic

Fl R 5s floodlighted. Apr. to Dec.

Horn: 2 blasts ev 30 s (1 s bl). Operates from April to Dec[5]
ARLHS number USA-171[6][7]
USCG number

7-19960

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

1930s U.S. Coast Guard photo of the light
Location North Breakwater, Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates 41°53′22″N 87°35′26″W / 41.88944°N 87.59056°W / 41.88944; -87.59056Coordinates: 41°53′22″N 87°35′26″W / 41.88944°N 87.59056°W / 41.88944; -87.59056
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built 1893
Architect United States Lighthouse Board
MPS U.S. Coast Guard Lighthouses and Light Stations on the Great Lakes TR
NRHP Reference # 84000986[8]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP July 19, 1984
Designated CL April 9, 2003

The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is an automated active lighthouse, and stands at the end of the northern breakwater protecting the Chicago Harbor, to the east of Navy Pier and the mouth of the Chicago River.

History

The light was constructed in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition and moved to its present site in 1919.[9] The United States Lighthouse Board prominently displayed "its 'state of the art' wares and engineering achievements." Prominently featured was "the engineering marvel" of Spectacle Reef Light and a 111-foot-tall (34 m) skeletal cast iron lighthouse tower.[10]

Also displayed were a number of Fresnel lenses, including a stunning Third Order Fresnel lens which was awarded first prize at a Paris glass exhibition. The lens featured alternating red and white panels, and had been ordered for installation in the new lighthouse at Point Loma Light (new) in California. The coincidental conclusion of construction of the new Chicago Harbor light and the close of the Exhibition prompted the Lighthouse Board keep the lens in Chicago, and thus the lens was installed in the lantern room of the new tower.[10]

Surrounded by rip rap, the structure has several levels: a concrete base and two red roofed buildings with a tapered white cylinder between them which is topped by a parapet and the light itself.

In 1917 the breakwater was renovated. At that time, the lighthouse was moved to its present site, and its attached fog signal room and boathouse were built.[9]

The design is "unique . . . similar to that of the offshore sparkplug towers, but this tower is taller."[11] Except for the additions made at the time of the move, it "bears some resemblance" to the Rock of Ages Light near Isle Royale on Lake Superior, which is its contemporary.[12]

The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1984, and later was designated a Chicago Landmark on April 9, 2003.[9]

The original Third Order Fresnel lens /freɪˈnɛl/ was removed, and is now on display at Cabrillo National Monument in California.[13] It had been originally intended for and was destined for the Point Loma (California) light, but was diverted (for almost a century) and kept in Chicago following its display at the exposition.[14]

Chicago Breakwater and Pierhead light

In 2005, the light was declared excess by the Coast Guard. It was offered at no cost to eligible entities, including federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit corporations, and educational organizations under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. After an unusually long delay,[11] United States Secretary of the Interior Kenneth Salazar initiated transfer to the City of Chicago on February 24, 2009.[15] The city had designated the lighthouse a Chicago Landmark on April 9, 2003.[9][16]

The Lighthouse's "significant role in the development of Chicago" is commemorated in a relief sculpture, entitled The Spirit of the Waters located near the LaSalle Street entrance of Chicago City Hall.[9]

Preservation efforts

"Illinois has two well-known and historic light stations in the Chicago area, plus two pierhead lights." The Chicago Department of Water maintains lights on each of its four water intake cribs.[11]

Chicago has no area lighthouse preservation group, and this light has been the primary beneficiary of attention on preservation attention. However, Illinois and Indiana pierhead lights may need defense against demolition in the future. The Calumet Harbor Light, just across the border in Indiana, was demolished in 1995.[11][17]

Seeing the Light

The light is an active aid to navigation, and no access is permitted.[14]

A good view of the lighthouse may be had from Navy Pier, especially at the end of the Pier. Better views can be had by boat, including the various tour boats in the area.[10][16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Illinois". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  2. ↑ Pepper, Terry. "Database of Tower Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com.
  3. ↑ Pepper, Terry. "Database of Focal Heights". Seeing the Light. terrypepper.com.
  4. ↑ "Chicago Harbor Light". Nat'l Park Service. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  5. 1 2 Light List, Volume VII, Great Lakes (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard.
  6. ↑ "Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, Chicago Harbor (Lake Michigan) Light ARLHS USA-171".
  7. ↑ "Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, World List of Lights.".
  8. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Chicago Harbor Lighthouse". City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Landmarks Division. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  10. 1 2 3 "Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Chicago Breakwater Light.".
  11. 1 2 3 4 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Illinois". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  12. ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  13. ↑ National Park Service Maritime Heritage Program, Inventory of Historic Lights, Chicago Harbor Light.
  14. 1 2 "Wobser, David, Chicago Harbor Light, boatnerd.com.".
  15. ↑ Chicago Lighthouse transfer.
  16. 1 2 "Anderson, Kraig, Lighthouse friends, Chicago Harbor Light.".
  17. ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Indiana". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Additional reading

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