“Lighthouses are a reflection of the human spirit and a mirror to our past.”—from the Introduction No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin’s rich maritime traditions than the lighthouse. These historic beacons conjure myriad notions of a bygone era: romance, loneliness, and dependability; dedicated keepers manning the lights; eerie tales of haunted structures and ghosts “Lighthouses are a reflection of the human spirit and a mirror to our past.”—from the Introduction No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin’s rich maritime traditions than the lighthouse. These historic beacons conjure myriad notions of a bygone era: romance, loneliness, and dependability; dedicated keepers manning the lights; eerie tales of haunted structures and ghosts of past keepers; mariners of yesteryear anxiously hoping to make safe haven around rocky shorelines. If these sentinels could talk, imagine the tales they would tell of ferocious Great Lakes storms taking their toll on vessels and people alike. In this fully updated edition of Wisconsin Lighthouses, Ken and Barb Wardius tell those tales, taking readers on an intimate tour of lighthouses on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Winnebago. Both delightful storytellers and accomplished photographers, the couple complement their engaging text with more than 100 stunning color photographs, along with dozens of archival photos, maps, documents, and artifacts. Detailed “how to get there” directions, up-to-the-minute status reports on each light, and sidebars on everything from lighthouse vocabulary to the often lonely lives of lightkeepers make this the definitive book on Wisconsin’s lighthouses.
Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic and Historical Guide, Revised Edition
“Lighthouses are a reflection of the human spirit and a mirror to our past.”—from the Introduction No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin’s rich maritime traditions than the lighthouse. These historic beacons conjure myriad notions of a bygone era: romance, loneliness, and dependability; dedicated keepers manning the lights; eerie tales of haunted structures and ghosts “Lighthouses are a reflection of the human spirit and a mirror to our past.”—from the Introduction No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin’s rich maritime traditions than the lighthouse. These historic beacons conjure myriad notions of a bygone era: romance, loneliness, and dependability; dedicated keepers manning the lights; eerie tales of haunted structures and ghosts of past keepers; mariners of yesteryear anxiously hoping to make safe haven around rocky shorelines. If these sentinels could talk, imagine the tales they would tell of ferocious Great Lakes storms taking their toll on vessels and people alike. In this fully updated edition of Wisconsin Lighthouses, Ken and Barb Wardius tell those tales, taking readers on an intimate tour of lighthouses on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Winnebago. Both delightful storytellers and accomplished photographers, the couple complement their engaging text with more than 100 stunning color photographs, along with dozens of archival photos, maps, documents, and artifacts. Detailed “how to get there” directions, up-to-the-minute status reports on each light, and sidebars on everything from lighthouse vocabulary to the often lonely lives of lightkeepers make this the definitive book on Wisconsin’s lighthouses.
Compare
Erin Anderson –
This is a great book for anyone interested in lighthouses, and even people who are not! History of our nation’s lighthouses is recorded and detailed. Beginner information is given so you can understand the terms. This book obviously is about lights in Wisconsin and gives a brief history and overview of each. The tales of courageous light keepers are kept alive and pictures show the lights in their glory. The authors were as thorough as they could be with what information was available, and gave This is a great book for anyone interested in lighthouses, and even people who are not! History of our nation’s lighthouses is recorded and detailed. Beginner information is given so you can understand the terms. This book obviously is about lights in Wisconsin and gives a brief history and overview of each. The tales of courageous light keepers are kept alive and pictures show the lights in their glory. The authors were as thorough as they could be with what information was available, and gave a summary of the lighthouse’s current status and even directions if you want to visit! This book is also a good resource for early Wisconsin state history.
Kathi –
This book about Wisconsin’s lighthouses features painstakingly researches information about each light’s history, location, and current status. The authors also include interesting stories and beautiful photos. A great addition to any lighthouse lover’s library and an inviting introduction to lighthouse novices.
Carolyn Page –
What a great resource! The author has cobbled together known information and reminisces about Wisconsin lighthouses, and gives the status of each and how to find them. I wish I had read this book earlier! Now it's late November and I've only seen the Asylum Point lighthouse. What a great resource! The author has cobbled together known information and reminisces about Wisconsin lighthouses, and gives the status of each and how to find them. I wish I had read this book earlier! Now it's late November and I've only seen the Asylum Point lighthouse.
Jim Gallen –
As fans of lighthouses my family and I have often pulled off the road to get a view, take a picture and just enjoy the scenery. As we leave we often wonder what stories are encased in their walls, why was it built here and what role has it played in its community? “Wisconsin Lighthouses” answers those questions and more. Authors Ken and Barb Wardius start with an introduction to lighthouses, their origins, terminology, the lenses that focus their beams, the keepers who have maintained them and th As fans of lighthouses my family and I have often pulled off the road to get a view, take a picture and just enjoy the scenery. As we leave we often wonder what stories are encased in their walls, why was it built here and what role has it played in its community? “Wisconsin Lighthouses” answers those questions and more. Authors Ken and Barb Wardius start with an introduction to lighthouses, their origins, terminology, the lenses that focus their beams, the keepers who have maintained them and the agencies that have regulated them. They then take the reader on a guided tour, from lighthouse to lighthouse, along the Lakes: Superior, Winnebago and Michigan. Each lake’s geography is explained as well as the histories of the communities that the lights served. The pages about the Fresnel lens and the uses of lightships answered questions that I had often pondered. Every featured lighthouse has its own section that tells its history, its people, its lens and any unique features it may have to share. Each one ends with a current status: whether active or not, the type of lens now used and the color and frequency of its beam, whether or not hit has a fog horn, who maintains it, whether it is on a list of Historic Places and finally, directions to get to it. This is an oversized book with charming narrative and beautiful pictures, the current in vibrant colors and the antique in black and white. We have often visited Wisconsin Lighthouses and I enjoyed reading about those we have seen. Now I feel that I need to go back, with the book, to more thoroughly appreciate what I have merely savored. I now know where to get the best look at Old Bailey’s Harbor Light and how to compare the lights that are twins, or at least close relatives. Read the text and look at those pictures. I have often watched in awe as the sun rises over Lake Michigan, but that picture of sunrise behind the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light tempts me to get up and drive to the Coast Guard station await that glorious view. Well maybe. Look at that picture of the snow covered Cana Island, so cold, so crisp, so pure…so alluring. Now that you have read it, sit it on your coffee table so that your guests may pick it up, peruse it and be entranced. Maybe they will accompany you on your next lighthouse visit. I did receive a free copy of this book for review.
Laura –
Reta Williams –
Susie –
gail j andres –
Sherri –
Eric Schlehlein –
Scott –
Kelly –
Michele Adams –
Noran Miss Pumkin –
Marissa –
Kay –
Michaelpaulhermann –
Cathy –
Kenneth Kopidlansky –
Caitlin –
Bonnie –
Jane Riebe-Tritten –
John –
Joyce –
Greg –
Leah –
WHS PRESS –
Brian –
Alex –
Isa –
Julie –
Michele –
Tia –
Melly Mel –
Kristi –
Frederick Rotzien –
Micielle –
Patricia Atkinson –
Sarah Taylor-Cruz –
Karen Forsyth –