Indiana Harbor East Breakwater Light

Indiana Harbor East Breakwater Light is a 23-meter steel tower with a square shape located at the harbor entrance. The structure rests on a stone-filled crib base and displays a green blinking light for navigation.

The facility became operational in 1935 and replaced an earlier structure as the harbor grew to handle more traffic. The modernization was necessary to support expanding shipping activity in the industrialized Lake Michigan corridor.

The light serves as a vital reference point for vessels navigating this busy commercial waterway daily. Visitors can observe how this structure connects modern shipping operations with the region's industrial past.

The location is best seen from the water and can be observed from various public areas along the harbor shoreline. Best visibility occurs during clear daylight and calm water conditions.

The light reaches about 12 nautical miles across Lake Michigan using a fourth-order Fresnel lens. The blinking pattern cycles every three seconds on and off to warn and guide ships passing through.

Location: Lake County

Height: 23 m

GPS coordinates: 41.68080,-87.44110

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05