Lighting the Lighthouse

Light the Historic 1866 Southport Lighthouse
Light the historic 1866 lighthouse for a loved one as a memorial, celebration or as a contribution to the restoration and upkeep of the Southport Light Station.





History of the 1866 Southport Lighthouse
The Kenosha Southport Lighthouse, built in 1866, is the third government lighthouse built on Simmons Island, formerly Washington Island, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The tower is constructed of Milwaukee Cream City brick and is conical in shape. The height of the tower from the base to the lens focal plane is 55 feet, with an added 19 feet from the base to the water level, making the focal plane of the light 74 feet above the lake level. The original light was a fixed white light, varied by flashes, from the fourth order Fresnel lens.

Originally designated as a coast and harbor light, the light station was the first navigational light a mariner would see upon entering Wisconsin from Chicago. It was functional until 1906 at which time it was replaced by taller light stations built to the north and south. A new pierhead lighthouse located on the north harbor pier identifies the harbor entrance.

The lantern room was removed around 1913 and replaced with a 25-foot tripod mast for the display of storm warning flags and lights. The weather signal tower was removed in the 1960's, at which time the Southport tower was boarded up.

A 1989 restoration feasibility study by the Kenosha County Historical Society led to the preservation of the tower. A replica of the lantern room was positioned on the tower on May 7, 1994, completing the first phase of restoration.

The 1866 Kenosha (Southport) Light Station is listed on the Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places.


How do I light the lighthouse?
Families, friends, individuals or organizations can light the 1866 lighthouse for a special person, occasion, anniversary, birthday or memoriam. Lighting the lighthouse is done as a package; the lighthouse is lit the evening of the requested date from dusk to dawn and an accompanying ad may be placed in the Kenosha News that morning. Packages are $35 with a short amount of text, or $50 for longer text and/or a photograph. The ad will always have a sketch of the lighthouse and says, "THE LIGHT SHINES. Tonight the 1866 Kenosha Southport Lighthouse shines in..."

Customers write their own text after shines.


Rules and Policy for Reservations
Reservations must be made with Museum staff. Reservations may be taken over the phone or in person at the Kenosha History Center. Dates may be made one year in advance, following the anniversary of the date. Reservations are first come, first serve; past reservations do not guarantee future reservations. No date is confirmed until payment and information is received. Payment must be received a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance before the date. Text for the ad is required to be typewritten or printed. Cursive handwriting will not be accepted. Limited space is available for text, 1.8" x 5" maximum for the entire ad with sketch for the smaller ad. This is approximately 5 lines, 22 characters per line. Individuals may reserve the same date a maximum of two (2) consecutive years. Individuals who wish to reserve a third or more consecutive year will be put on a waiting list. If the desired date is not reserved two (2) months prior to the date by another party, the date may be reserved by the first individual on the waiting list and will be confirmed upon payment and submittal of text.