The 1888 tower was constructed using a design plan identical to the one used for the Rawley Point Lighthouse in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
The original 1855 lighthouse was abandoned because the bluff it sat upon was unstable and eroding toward Lake Michigan.
The lantern room retains a Fresnel lens, though the original 1888 lens was replaced by a more powerful one in 1906.
The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The tower was raised by 35 feet in 1912 to improve the visibility of its light against the growing glow of the Milwaukee skyline.
The light was fully automated in 1939, reducing the need for constant on-site manual operation.
During the restoration process completed in 2007, workers removed lead paint and repaired the original cast-iron staircases.
North Point Lighthouse is a 74-foot octagonal cast-iron tower located in Milwaukee's Lake Park. Originally built in 1855, the current structure dates back to 1888 when it was relocated due to bluff erosion. It stands on a Victorian-era keeper's house, which now functions as a maritime museum. The lighthouse served as a navigational aid for ships entering Milwaukee Harbor from Lake Michigan until its decommissioning in 1994. Visitors can climb the lantern room for views of the shoreline and the city's east side. The site is managed by the North Point Lighthouse Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation. The architecture reflects the influence of the Lighthouse Board’s standard designs of the late 19th century. Exhibits inside the keeper's house detail the history of local shipwrecks and the daily lives of lighthouse keepers.
From the bottom of the bluff in Lake Park looking up, or from the lantern room balcony looking east over Lake Michigan.
Climb the spiral staircase to the lantern room early in your visit to ensure you have time to explore the museum exhibits afterwards.
Walk through the surrounding Lake Park trails to view the lighthouse from the base of the bluff.
Check the official website for special lighthouse illumination events that occasionally occur at night.
Attempting to visit the tower without checking the current operating schedule, as the lantern room is not always accessible due to staff availability.
The lighthouse is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and operates on a seasonal basis; always verify before arrival.
Climbing the tower requires sturdy, flat-soled footwear; visitors must navigate steep, narrow spiral stairs.
