The Cana Island Lighthouse is probably the most famous of the Door County lighthouses which sits on a 9 acre island with a 89 foot tall tower. The third order Fresnel lens was first lit on January 28, 1870 in the cream city brick tower. Storms and icy winters deteriorated the bricks so in 1902, a steel cladding was added to protect the tower. This weekend, the tower is open for visitors to climbs and enjoy the view from the cat walk. The light was automated in 1945.
A three hundred foot long natural causeway links the mainland to Cana Island, but the fluctuating level of Lake Michigan can cause it to be flooded, like it is right now. The highest point on the island is less than seven feet above the average lake level so flooding was a problem so an added breakwater running parallel to the shore helped to stop the waves flooding the keeper’s dwelling.
Cana Island Lighthouse
