Waukegan Harbor, Illinois
Harbour Lights #355
 

Prior to 1849, the town of Waukegan was known as Little Fort. The current day Waukegan Harbor Light was built in 1889 to replace the original structure built in 1849.

When the Erie Canal was completed, a passage opened between the Great Lakes and New York. The settlement of Little Fort, located on the western side of Lake Michigan, was rich in natural beauty and bounty and became the home for a new wave of immigrants. In the 1830’s, vessels landed off shore and lighters transported both cargo and people. Finally in 1841, a private pier was built and the boom exploded!

On January 5, 1846, a bill was put before the United States Congress seeking an appropriation to build a harbor and a lighthouse for Little Fort. In 1847, Congress appropriated $12,000 for the harbor and an additional $4,000 for a lighthouse. At the time, Stephen Pleasonton, Fifth Auditor of the Treasury, a man with no maritime experience, was responsible for the nation’s aids to navigation. Unfortunately, fiscal austerity was the order of the day and construction under his administration was abysmal.

On its first inspection a year later, the newly built lighthouse at Little Fort was found to be deteriorating and badly in need of repair. Temporary repairs including re-pointing of the tower and whitewashing the keeper’s dwelling were authorized.

In 1852, William B. Snowhook, Collector and Superintendent of the Eleventh District, found Little Fort Light to be “in a dilapidated condition.” A complete repair was to have cost $10,500. While he sought the necessary funds, he also recommended plans be developed for a new light for the harbor.

Two years earlier, the Army Corps of Topographical Engineers was funded to construct breakwaters at Little Fort. Observing this construction, Snowhook recommended a steel tower and beacon to be built at the northern end and the existing Little Fort Lighthouse discontinued.

The United States Congress appropriated $10,500 for the Army Corps of Engineers to build an iron pierhead beacon upon the breakwater’s completion. With all these plans in the works, Congress gave the Lighthouse Board a mere $1,000 to keep the light shining until completion of the breakwaters. To accomplish this, a wooden tower with a standard octagonal cast iron lantern was built on the apex of the keeper’s dwelling roof and the brick tower was demolished.

Typical of many government projects, there were numerous changes and delays in construction of the breakwaters. In 1867, it became necessary to construct new outbuildings and replace the roof of the keeper’s dwelling to keep the light shining. It was 1880 and the breakwaters still had not been completed. It became apparent the temporary light on the keeper’s dwelling was becoming permanent. The town of Waukegan was slowly taking over the bluff and it became necessary to protect the site with a picket fence.

In 1889, the breakwaters were completed. In August of the same year, a new Fourth Order light was exhibited and the “temporary” Fifth Order light installed on the keeper’s dwelling was permanently discontinued.

Located at the end of Government Pier, Waukegan Harbor Light is still active. Many visitors enjoy walking the pier to take a look at this historic beacon. We've sculpted it as it appeared circa 1960.