Lighthouses of Door County
Follow in David Corbin's footsteps
No one symbol best represents Door County than does the lighthouse. With nearly 300 miles of shoreline, some of the Great Lakes' most treacherous waters, and some 40 islands dotting the coast, Door County is both beautiful and treacherous to even the most seasoned sailor.
To protect those who made their living on the lakes, or simply sailed for enjoyment, Door County is home to eleven lighthouses, the second largest collection of any county in the country.
As with the shipping industry they serve, lighthouses have evolved over time, keeping up with, and even falling victim to, the onslaught of changing technologies. Most of the lighthouses were built in the 1860's and 1870's.
The exception is the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, the first lighthouse built in Wisconsin. The station was the responsibility of David E. Corbin, War of 1812 veteran, who set the initial light in October, 1837.
Corbin was the first of the many lighthouse keepers who would call Door County's stations "home" until automation rendered them redundant. It was a difficult life for anyone - the isolation often bred depression and supplies dwindled.
Most of the keepers had wives and families. In fact, hoping to ease his dreary existence, Corbin was given a 20-day leave and told to find himself a wife. Twenty days later, he returned to his faithful dog and horse, no wife. He died at the station, a bachelor.
Today the lighthouse has been restored by the Friends of Rock Island, which maintain public visiting hours in-season. It is one of three such sentinels which welcome visitors each year. The others are Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park and Cana Island Lighthouse situated just north of Baileys Harbor.
William Duclon and his wife, Julia, raised their seven rowdy sons while tending the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, now situated in Peninsula State Park. Serving from 1883 to 1918, Duclon was one of only three keepers who operated this station before its automation in 1926.
Now faithfully restored by the Door County Historical Museum, Eagle Bluff station is a "living museum" with regular in-season docent-led tours.
Of course, it was the operation and maintenance of the station that was the keepers' number one priority. The constant exposure to Door County's often severe weather assured there were always repairs awaiting the station staffs.
Materials used in construction of lighthouse stations were often inferior, causing them to quickly deteriorate in the harsh conditions. Pottawatomie's original 1837 station was demolished, rebuilt and enlarged in 1858. For its protection, the 1870 Cana Island lighthouse structure was encased in steel panels in 1912.
Today, countless visitors cross the causeway to Cana to visit one of the most popular and photographed lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The island is now a county park. Access to the 80-foot tower is also available for a small fee.
Door County waters remain vital avenues of commerce and recreation, and those who sail still depend on the lights for guidance. Today, many of the lights fall under Coast Guard jurisdiction and are closed to the public.
However, during the annual Lighthouse Festival (June 10-12) access is offered to facilities normally off-limits. Along with educational programs, a wide variety of tours are available, from walking tours to water tours. For more information contact the Door County Maritime Museum at 920-743-5958.
