How Door County’s Lighthouses Guided Sailors for Over a Century

Door County’s stunning shoreline and scenic bluffs are beloved by visitors—but for over a century, these same waters were a source of peril for sailors. With unpredictable weather, hidden shoals, and one of the most feared passages on the Great Lakes—Death’s Door—navigating this peninsula was no easy feat.

To protect mariners and guide vessels safely around the peninsula, a network of lighthouses was built beginning in the 1800s. Today, 11 historic lighthouses still stand across the county—from the shipping canal in Sturgeon Bay to remote islands off the tip of the peninsula. Many remain active aids to navigation; others serve as museums or silent reminders of the region’s rich maritime past.

Whether you’re on land or enjoying the view from a boat, these lighthouses connect Door County’s rugged past with its present-day charm.

The 11 Historic Lighthouses of Door County

Below is a full listing of the county’s officially recognized historic lighthouses, with a note where they are visible on Shoreline Boat Tours:

1. Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1899

• Location: Lake Michigan entrance to the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal

• ✅ Seen on our Sturgeon Bay Scenic Cruise

• Details: A towering white lighthouse located near the U.S. Coast Guard station. Visible from boat and public trails. Maintained by: United States Coast Guard.

2. Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Light

• Year Lit: 1882

• Location: At the end of the breakwall at the canal’s mouth

• ✅ Seen on our Sturgeon Bay Scenic Cruise

• Details: Bright red and iconic, this structure still actively marks the canal entrance. Maintained by: United States Coast Guard.

3. Sherwood Point Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1883

• Location: Western shore of Sturgeon Bay (Green Bay side)

• ✅ Seen on our Sturgeon Bay special lighthouse tour days and by request on Private Charters

• Details: The last manned lighthouse on the Great Lakes; typically only open during special events. Maintained by: United States Coast Guard (not open to public; still an active CG station).

4. Cana Island Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1870

• Location: North of Baileys Harbor

• ✅ Seen on our Baileys Harbor Scenic Tour

• Details: One of Door County’s most visited and photographed lights. Access via a seasonal causeway. Maintained by: our Primary Educational Partner – Door County Maritime Museum.

5. Baileys Harbor Range Lights

• Year Lit: 1869

• Location: The Ridges Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor

• ✅ Seen on our Baileys Harbor Scenic Tour

• Details: Twin lights once used to help ships align their approach to harbor. Still visible from both land and water. Maintained by: our Primary Educational Partner – The Ridges Sanctuary.

6. Old Baileys Harbor “Birdcage” Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1852 (Deactivated 1869)

• Location: On an island off Baileys Harbor

• ✅ Seen on our Baileys Harbor Scenic Tour

• Details: One of the earliest lights in the county. Now privately owned and only visible by boat.

7. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1868

• Location: Peninsula State Park

• Details: Beautifully restored and open for tours. Located high on a bluff overlooking the bay. Maintained by: our Primary Educational Partner – Door County Historical Society.

8. Chambers Island Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1868

• Location: Chambers Island (Green Bay side)

• Details: Accessible by private boat. Maintained by: Town of Gibraltar Historical Society.

9. Plum Island Range Lights

• Year Lit: 1897

• Location: Between Northport and Washington Island

• Details: Helped ships navigate Death’s Door passage. Maintained by: Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI) in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

10. Pilot Island Lighthouse

• Year Lit: 1858

• Location: Near Death’s Door

• Details: Abandoned but still standing. Its haunting appearance reflects the dangers of the area. Maintained by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (no public access; restoration ongoing via FOPPI).

11. Pottawatomie Lighthouse (Rock Island)

• Year Lit: 1836 (Rebuilt 1858)

• Location: Rock Island State Park

• Details: Door County’s oldest lighthouse. Accessible by ferry and hiking trail. Maintained by: Friends of Rock Island State Park and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

More Than Lights—Symbols of Resilience

Each lighthouse tells a different chapter of Door County’s story. Together, they represent the determination of generations who lived and worked along these waters—keepers who braved storms, ship captains who trusted their glow, and modern volunteers who fight to preserve them.

While some lighthouses can only be viewed from a distance, others—like those seen on our Baileys Harbor and Sturgeon Bay tours—offer breathtaking views from the water and a closer connection to their living history.

Explore Responsibly

At Shoreline Boat Tours, we’re proud to help visitors experience the beauty of Door County from the water. While our tours do not visit every lighthouse listed here, we are fortunate to feature:

• 🛥️ Baileys Harbor Scenic Tour:

  Old Baileys Harbor “Birdcage” Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor Range Lights, and Cana Island Lighthouse

• 🛥️ Sturgeon Bay Scenic Cruise:

  Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse and Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Light

• 🛥️ Sturgeon Bay special lighthouse tour event or by Private Charter:

  Sherwood Point Lighthouse

Whether you’re exploring on foot, bike, or by boat, we hope this guide enriches your visit—and deepens your appreciation for the lighthouses that have stood guard along the Door Peninsula for generations.