Pilot Island Light

Pilot Island Light is a square stone structure standing 12 meters tall on a Lake Michigan shoreline in Door County. The tower features walls of Milwaukee Cream City brick with a distinctive yellow lantern topped by a black roof section.

The structure was built in the 1850s to guide vessels safely through the hazardous Death's Door shipping channel. An earlier lighthouse on a nearby island had proven insufficient for this dangerous stretch of water.

The structure serves as a symbol of maritime heritage in the region and appears prominently in local water-based tours. People recognize it as a reminder of the area's connection to shipping and navigation history.

The structure sits on an island and remains closed to public visits as it lies within a wildlife refuge. Boat tours and water-based excursions offer the best opportunity to view it from a distance.

A former lighthouse keeper received recognition for rescuing eight sailors from a sinking vessel during a severe storm in the 1890s. The dramatic incident occurred near the treacherous reef that this light was meant to protect against.

Location: Door County

Inception: 1858

Height: 12 m

Made from material: stone

GPS coordinates: 45.28439,-86.91958

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:45