Chicago Harbor Lighthouse from my office window

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse from Navy Pier

In 1832, the original Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was built on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago River. Depending on your source, this was one of the first or the first lighthouse to be built on Lake Michigan. In 1872 a new lighthouse was built farther north at Grosse Point and in 1873 the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was deemed unnecessary and was dismantled.

1893 brought the World’s Fair to Chicago. Chicagoans were proud to show Chicago to the world and made many harbor improvements. To prepare for an expected influx of travelers, it was decided that the construction of a new lighthouse was needed. This lighthouse was at the Chicago River’s mouth and very close to the location of the original 1832 lighthouse. This is the lighthouse that exists today. Its foundation is rubble stone with a concrete pier. It has a 48 foot steel tower that is lined with brick. On top is a 10 sided cast iron lantern. To eliminate the need for a separate living space, living space was built into the tower, which is 18 foot in diameter at its base.

The original lens used in the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was meant to be used at Point Loma in San Diego, CA. This lens had alternating red and white panels and was put on display at the World’s Fair. The completion of the lighthouse construction was at the same time as the closing of the World’s Fiar so the Lighthouse Board decided to use it in the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse instead of at Point Loma. The original lens is now on display at Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma.

In 1917 Chicago renovated its harbor. It was determined that a lighthouse was needed to guide vessels into the harbor at the southern extension of the breakwater, rather than at the mouth of the Chicago River. To avoid the expense of constructing a new lighthouse, the existing lighthouse was moved at a cost of $88,000. At this time a fog signal building was added to the south side of the lighthouse and a boat house building was added to the north side. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was automated in 1979 and restored in 1997.

Today, the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is operational and flashes a red beacon out to aid in the navigation of sea craft. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public. I became interested in the lighthouse when I was visiting Chicago on business earlier this year. When I moved to Chicago my curiosity was piqued even more, as the lighthouse is something I can see from my closest office windows and I see it many times every day. I also found the tidbit about Point Loma interesting because Point Loma & Cabrillo National Monument is something I visiting many times while living in San Diego.

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