A Beauty Place

Wisconsin Tourism Should Include a Vacation to the Wind Point Lighthouse on Lake Michigan

Just on the edge of Racine, WI is the little village of Wind Point. It is right on the shore of Lake Michigan. Michigan tourism should include a visit to this little hamlet and the beautiful Wind Point Light Station. The wonder of the facility and the history that surrounds it make for a wonderful destination on your vacation.

Visiting the Racine area will provide you many chances to see some gorgeous views. You may be able to explore the history of the area as well as visit some excellent museums, but the one that will probably focus in your mind for a long time is the vacation to the shores of Lake Michigan and the vistas you will get from the Wind Point Light Station. Take along a picnic lunch to eat on the grounds. Watch the waves break as they come in from this wonderous lake and think about all the boaters that have traversed these waters during the years to haul supplies to the area or to pick up supplies for commerce at remote ports. Take the time to enjoy the opportunity to see the power, learn of the history and appreciate the architecture from the past that constructed this structure in the time before modern construction and computer generated graphics. It is absolutely a site.

One of the more popular Wisconsin attractions, the tower building is closed except for special days but the grounds are open to the public everyday from sunrise to 11 pm The tower is open during the first Sundays in June, July, August, September, and October. Due to the high demand to see for miles at the top of the lighthouse, reservations are required. Light Station Tours run from ten a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is a ten dollar per person admission.

You will be able to learn about the history of this lighthouse when you arrive. It was constructed in 1880 and is the oldest and tallest Light House in existance on Lake Michigan. Although it began with Kerosene-fired lenses it was electrified in 1924 and then modernized in 1964. Since the station soars 110 feet to its focal plane the light is visible for a distance of 19 miles. Just think of the thousands of sailors who have been saved from disaster because of this Light House leading their way to home.

The lighthouse was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The village of Wind Point was awarded ownership of the land by the National Park Service in 1997. The Coast Guard still operates the lighthouse as a public navigation aid.

Arrive and view this gorgeous piece of times past and possibly, take a vacation to tour the other Lighthouses on the lakeside. It would make a fantastic Wisconsin vacation for you.

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