Ashland Breakwater Light
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Ashland Breakwater Light circa 1920
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Ashland Breakwater Light
 
Details
Attraction
Location
Body of Water: Lake Superior
Trail Name: Lake Superior
Year Built: 1915
Nearest Address: Ashland breakwater
Nearest City: Ashland
County: Ashland
Zip Code: 54806
Latitude: N 43°05.30016'
Longitude: W -090°52.22454'
Attraction
Features
Open to public?: No
Mooring buoy?: No
Mooring buoy in place?: No
Snorkelable?: No
Dive guide?: No
Trails sign?: No
National Register?: No
Attraction
Description
Early in the twentieth century, a lighthouse was needed to guide vessels in and out of the booming Ashland harbor. Shallow areas near the light also are a potential hazard to navigation and needed to be marked. Located on the west end of the approximately one and a half mile long breakwater out in Chequamegon Bay, the beacon was built in 1914 and first lighted the following year. Massive boulders protect the lighthouse and pier from the ravages of Lake Superior. The light, also known as Chequamegon Bay Breakwater Light, is the last remaining notable poured, reinforced, concrete lighthouse of its kind in the United States. The square base of the lighthouse rises to form a tower shape of a pyramid which then transitions into a circular lantern room (Wisconsin Lighthouses, Ken and Barb Wardius). An active aid to navigation maintained by by US Coast Guard, the Ashland Breakwater Light can be seen from the lakefront just west of Ashland. Bayview Park offers the best view of the lighthouse and can be found on the bay side of Hwy 2, just southwest of town. The breakwater is not attached to land, so close up views of the lighthouse are only obtainable by boat.
 
Contacts
Name Phone Alt Phone Email Website
Information 715-682-2500
 
Map
 
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Ashland Breakwater Light
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