Kenosha Light, Navigational lighthouse in Simmons Island, Kenosha, United States
Kenosha Light is a navigational lighthouse on Simmons Island with a 15-meter conical tower built from Milwaukee Cream City brick and topped by a natural green lantern. The site also includes a keeper's house that stands alongside the main structure.
The lighthouse was built in 1866 as the first guiding point for vessels entering Wisconsin waters from the Chicago area on Lake Michigan. This foundation established its role in early Great Lakes maritime commerce.
The lighthouse and keeper's house show how maritime life shaped this region through educational programs that continue today. Visitors can experience how these buildings remain connected to the community's connection to Lake Michigan.
The tower opens for visits during select summer weekends, while the keeper's house welcomes visitors on regular weekend days. Plan your visit for warmer months when the site is fully accessible.
The structure originally featured a fourth-order Fresnel lens powered by kerosene that produced a distinctive white light pattern. This optical system made it instantly recognizable to passing ships on the lake.
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