Cana Island Lighthouse

The Cana Island Lighthouse was built to replace the Baileys Harbor Lighthouse in 1869. William Jackson, the first keeper, officially lit the light on January 24, 1970. Because the Cana Island sticks out into Lake Michigan, it is exposed to both wind and wave. The shallowness of the waters around the island cause storm waves to break off shore. During the famous Alpena Gale in October 1880, storm waves actually swept through the house. To help halt the flooding, in 1890 the lighthouse board ordered the filling in of nearly one-half acre of low swamy land surrounding the lighthouse. The following photos were taken while my mother and I hiked out there so I could photograph the lighthouse during our visit to Door Penisula in Wisconsin.