Milwaukee Pierhead Light, Harbor lighthouse in Milwaukee, United States.
The Milwaukee Pierhead Light is a round steel tower at the entrance to Milwaukee's harbor on Lake Michigan, topped with a black lantern room and gallery. It stands at the end of a pier and marks the navigable channel between the open lake and the port.
The lighthouse was established in 1872 and operated as an independent station with its own keepers for decades. In 1926, its management was merged with the nearby North Point Light Station.
The lighthouse is a familiar reference point for sailors and harbor workers entering Milwaukee's port. Its red flashing light stands out clearly on the water at night and has long been part of the local maritime scene.
The lighthouse stands at the end of a breakwater and is easy to spot from the waterfront on foot. Boat tours of the harbor offer a closer view, and the red flashing light makes it simple to locate after dark.
An underwater cable connects this tower to the Milwaukee Breakwater Light, allowing both lights to send synchronized warning signals across the harbor. This system was put in place in the early 20th century and is one of the earliest examples of coordinated maritime safety in the port.
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