Grosse Point Lighthouse, Northwestern Illinois Travel Guide

Grosse Point Lighthouse stands proudly on the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois, marking a significant point in maritime history. Constructed in 1873, the lighthouse was a crucial navigational aid for ships approaching Chicago's harbor. Its construction was spurred by several shipping disasters, most notably the tragic Lady Elgin shipwreck in 1860, which claimed nearly 300 lives. The lighthouse itself is an impressive structure, boasting a 113-foot tower designed by Orlando Metcalfe Poe, a prominent lighthouse engineer. Originally built of brick, the tower was later encased in concrete in 1914 to protect it from the elements. At the top of the tower sits a second-order Fresnel lens, one of the largest ever used on the Great Lakes, capable of casting a beam visible for up to 20 miles.Over the years, Grosse Point Lighthouse has been managed by both federal and local authorities. It was initially operated by the United States Lighthouse Service and later the Coast Guard before being decommissioned in 1941. In 1935, the City of Evanston acquired the station, and the Lighthouse Park District now manages the site. The lighthouse was relit in 1946 as a private aid to navigation and continues to operate today.Visitors can explore the lighthouse grounds year-round and tour the lighthouse, interpretive center, and climb the tower on weekends from June through September. The site also features wildflower and butterfly gardens maintained by the Garden Club of Evanston.