Baileys Harbor
Cana Island Lighthouse Graces Door County Shoreline
By Tegan Grant
Aug 6, 2009 - 11:49:25 AM

The keeper's house was home to a number of families years ago

Most people aren’t aware, but Cana Island was not home to the first lighthouse in Baileys Harbor. The first lighthouse, located on a different island off Baileys Harbor, was built of native stone from Alison Sweet’s quarry, the man who proposed and was awarded the contract by the Federal Government. By 1866, fourteen years after it was built, the condition of the lighthouse had declined quite a bit. Though the project of fixing up the lighthouse was awarded $15,000, it was decided that it would be better to build a new lighthouse located on Cana Island. The first lighthouse shone until December 1, 1869.

The lighthouse in all its majesty

The new Cana Island Lighthouse consists of a tapering tower – eighteen feet in diameter at the base, sixteen feet in diameter at the top – as well as an eight by ten foot covered walkway that connects the tower to the forty-two by twenty foot keeper’s quarters. Standing at sixty-five feet above the foundation, ninety-seven steps to the top, the Cana Island Lighthouse was, at the time, the tallest brick structure in Door County.

Due to its location, the way in which Cana Island sticks out into the lake, the island, and therefore lighthouse, is left open to the elements. A bad storm could mean flooding and waves actually crashing through the living quarters. Because of this, the lighthouse began to deteriorate. In hopes of preventing further deterioration, in 1902 the tower was encased in steel plates, and painted white – which is how it continues to stand today.

The top of the lighthouse consists of two levels: the watch room and the lantern room. The lens, a third order Fresnel built in Paris, stands just over eighty feet above the surface of the water, and extends eighteen miles over the lake.

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Outbuilding near the lighthouse

n 1944, after seventy-five years of being tended to by keepers, the Cana Island Lighthouse became automated, now home to a 250 watt light bulb (which is about the size of your pinky finger) that turns on automatically at dusk, off at dawn. Because of this, a keeper was no longer necessary. Without the constant care, the station sadly began to deteriorate. In the late 1970s, however, the Door County Maritime Museum leased the property in order to help preserve this piece of maritime heritage. The Cana Island Lighthouse has been under their watch ever since.

Since the Maritime Museum took over the property, it has also become open to visitors. To reach the island, head north on Highway 57. On the north side of Baileys Harbor, turn east (right) on County Q. There will be signs posted that will guide you from here. There is one turn, about three and a half miles after turning on Q. Follow this road to the end. Please note that you will be driving through a residential area – follow speed limits and watch for other cars, bikers, walkers, etc. Park at the end of the road – you can only reach the island by foot. The lighthouse will be

Cana Island is home to some gorgeous beachfront

hard to miss.

The question remains as to whether Cana Island is really an island or not. Some say it depends on the water level. If the water levels are high, the rock causeway – which most believe to be natural – becomes submerged, making the trek more of an adventure. Due to recent low water levels, the causeway is not only exposed, but also becoming home to foliage. Because of this, some consider Cana Island to simply be an extension of the Door County Peninsula.

 

Anchor from a nearby 1919 shipwreck

When approaching the lighthouse, you may notice an anchor on the sidewalk leading up to it. It is believed to have come from a barge that had been working on recovering the Frank O’Connor shipwreck. The anchor was swiped from the wreckage by a man from Chicago, who, in an out of court settlement, returned the anchor to Wisconsin and paid to have it moved to Cana Island, which oversaw the wreckage of the O’Connor in 1919. The wreck site has since been placed on the Ten most Endangered Historic Properties in Wisconsin list. The ship, carrying 3,000 tons of coal was bound for Milwaukee. Just a few miles from Cana Island, at 4 pm on October 3, the ship caught fire. Though carrying flammable material, the cause was believed to be a discarded match or cigarette butt. Having previously been carrying grain, the remaining grain dust acted as kindling. Luckily, the lighthouse keeper at the time, Oscar Knudson, noticed the smoke and helped the retreating crew to safety.

Cana Island circa 1972 when the water level was quite high

If you are planning on visiting Cana Island, be prepared for conditions. Though the water levels are low and the causeway is exposed, leave the high heels and sandals at home. The trek is easier to navigate with the aid of tennis shoes or other good footwear. Keep young children under supervision.

(Editor's note: There is a gift shop, museum, movie room, and outdoor latrine on the island. A small admission fee is collected upon entry to the island, and docents are available to answer questions and tell stories. This is a Door County must-see!)