Lighthouse History Lesson #7: Cana Island Lighthouse

The kids get wet.  The parents have an opportunity to hike and climb a lighthouse.  What a great combination!

If you want this experience, drive up northeast of Bailey's Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin.  Park the car and take a complementary hayride to the island.  Note that while the lighthouse remains open 10AM to 5 PM during the season (May to October), the last tractor hay-wagon leaves the parking lot at 4:15PM and the last tower climb begins at 8:30PM.  You'll see the lighthouse from afar as the tower stands 89 feet tall.  

The peninsula separates Moonlight Bay and North Bay.  We took the hayride to the lighthouse, but the kids begged to walk across the lake on the way back.  So guess who waded in two feet of cold lake water?!?

The triangular island spans across 8.7 acres.  When you arrive at the island, you buy your ticket to climb the tower ($12 adults, $10 kids age 5 to 17 years old).  To climb, you must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall.  Take a short hike to the lighthouse and climb the 97 cast iron steps up a spiral staircase.  At the top, step onto the balcony and admire the view.  You'll also notice the

Fresnel lens made in France and once fueled by lard.

 Many years ago, President Andrew Jackson reserved Cana Island in Wisconsin for the light, but only in the last decade can visitors climb the tower.   The lighthouse was built in 1870.  The tower stood as the tallest brick structure in Door County when it was completed.  In 1970, control of the island and lighthouse was given to Door County Maritime Museum.  In 1976, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historical Places.  In 2008, visitors were allowed to climb the tower and gain a spectacular view from the lantern room.

If you want to visit Cana Island through a tour, consider attending the Spring Door County Lighthouse Festival (early June) or Fall Door County Lighthouse Festival.  Tickets become available months earlier, so plan ahead.  Here's five tours:

1) Door County Trolley Lighthouse 7.5 hour Tour:  $82 to see 5 lighhouses including Cana Island, lunch included
2) Narrated Naturalist 6.5 hour Tour:  $87 to see 5 lighthouses including Cana Island and lunch
3) Lakeshore Lighthouse 2 hour Cruise:  $52 to see 3 lighthouses including Cana Island
4) Cana Island Kayak 4 hour Expedition:  $80 for kayak and climb Cana tower
5) Bailey's Harbor Kayak 3 hour Expedition:  $80 see 3 lighthouses including Cana