Wisconsin Lights - Algoma

Algoma Pierhead Light from a sidewalk view above the
city's beach.  9/14/2019 dwm photo

The first light to help ships find Algoma was built with local funds in 1890.

In 1893, federal money completed a set of range lights for boat captains to locate the harbor.  Just a few years later, Algoma was home to the largest commercial fishing fleet on Lake Michigan.

Those days are over.  The last I heard there are still a few boats catching fish to sell directly to restaurants as the catch of the day, but there not enough fish in the lake to sustain a commercial fishery.  There are still many sport fishermen and women that use Algoma as their home port.

The former Algoma Fresnel Lens is on display at the
North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee. 9/14/19 (dwm)

In 1932, the Algoma light reached its full height when the old 26 foot tall lighthouse was placed on a new base.  The light in the lantern rose 42 feet above the water.

The deep red of the light looks like a candle on the water beckoning as the tossed and frightened seek safety in the harbor.

In 2014, I stopped in Algoma for lunch while biking from Manitowoc to Sturgeon Bay.

My lighthouse collection hadn't started, but you can see it in my July 23, 2014 blog.

Sport fishing remains popular in the waters near Algoma.
9/14/2019 dwm photo

This was my first trip back to Algoma, and sought the light.

After taking a few pictures from the sidewalk above the city beach, I headed toward the marina and walked along the breakwater which protects the town harbor from wind and waves from the south.

I walked to the end where I stood across from the light as an Algoma Fishing boat added a dash of local color.

It's a beautiful place.

See more lighthouses here - next week we go to Sturgeon Bay.