Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse

08/08/2026

07/29/2026

TODAY IN HISTORY 1959
The Ann Arbor rail ferry "Arthur K. Atikinson" strikes the crib light marking the shoal offshore of Kewaunee Harbor while inbound with a load of rail cars. The damage was isolated above the waterline and the ship was able to unload and sail to Manitowoc for repairs.
The Atkinson had reentered service just 4 months prior, after undergoing an extensive, 9-month, and $2.3 Million refit in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

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Entering service in January of 1917 as the "Ann Arbor #6," the ship was a frequent visitor to Kewaunee carrying railcars to and from Frankfort, Michigan and other rail ports along Lake Michigan.
She was removed from service in July 1958 for an extensive refit at the shipyard in Manitowoc. Emerging from the yard longer, and with new diesel engines, the "Ann Arbor #6" was renamed the "Arthur K. Atkinson" after the president of the Wabash Railroad.

After this incident outside Kewaunee Harbor, the ship was repaired in Manitowoc and continued to sail until a broken crankshaft sidelined her in 1971. Finally repaired and back in service in August of 1980, the Atkinson would only sail until April of 1982 before being laid up for good. Over the decades of idle silence, her hulk would be moved between Kewaunee, Sturgeon Bay, Ludington, and DeTour, Michigan.

In December of 2011, the Arthur K. Atkinson made her final voyage under tow from DeTour, Michigan, up the St. Mary's River to Sault Ste. Marie where she was cut apart for scrap.
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The crib light - or "The Can" - still marks the shoal entering Kewaunee harbor and can be seen as the only visible structure on the horizon as one looks out towards the lake. Its location 3 miles offshore was vital as deeper ships began grounding on the shoal located just to the marker's south.
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Photos courtesy of Bowling Green State University archives, research by Jake Heffernan
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Support the ongoing restoration and research of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse
https://kewauneepierheadlighthouse.org/product/donation/

Donate via Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/kewauneelighthouse

Or memorialize your donation with a granite brick at the base of the pier!
https://kewauneepierheadlighthouse.org/product/paver-bricks/

07/17/2026

**TOUR CANCELLATION NOTICE**
After careful consideration, and with the health and safety of our volunteers and visitors in mind, the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse has decided to cancel our tours for Saturday, July 18th due to the ongoing hazardous air quality.

Please come visit us during our next open house on Saturday, August 8th in celebration of National Lighthouse Day. We'll be out giving tours from 10am - 4pm.

We thank you for your continued support and hope to see you in a few weeks!

07/11/2026

A huge thank you to the Kewaunee Lions Club for their generous donation of $1,000 in support of the lighthouse restoration!
This morning, Sandy Cebrij presented Jake Heffernan with the check during our public tours.

The money will be used alongside other donations to finish the foundation repairs, begun last fall, and to pay for a Historic Structures Report to guide us through the interior restoration.
We can not accomplish these goals without strong support from the community, and we thank the Lions Club for joining the list of local supporters!

To donate, visit www.kewauneepierheadlighthouse.org/donate

Our next public tours will be next Saturday, July 18th from 10am - 4pm.
$5/ adult, $3/ child

Stop out and tour, and enter our raffle for your chance to win a private lighthouse tour for 10 people!

06/29/2026

Support our nonprofit as they continue to fundraise for our restoration!

WIN A PRIVATE LIGHTHOUSE TOUR FOR 10 PEOPLE!

Introducing the Kewaunee Lighthouse tour raffle supporting the restoration of this historic icon!

Grand prize is a private tour of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse for up to 10 people during the 2027 tour season.
2nd prize is a Family Membership for the 2027 season.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.
Tickets can be purchased *AT THE LIGHTHOUSE* during public tour dates.
Tickets will also be available at Christkindlmarkt in November.

Winners will be drawn Saturday, November 21st at 3pm at Lakehaven Hall in Kewaunee.
(Location of Christkindlmarkt)
Do not need to be present - Winners will be notified via phone.

Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse is a 501(c)3 organization registered in the State of Wisconsin.

Support The Restoration
www.kewauneepierheadlighthouse.org

05/29/2026

Tours Saturday!
10am - 4pm

$5/adult, $3/school age child

Good morning from the beautiful lakeshore of Kewaunee ☀️🕶️
It is lighthouse tour weekend! Tours are this Saturday, May 30th, from 10-4! Perfect weekend to come visit us!
Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse
Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse
Visit Kewaunee County

05/24/2026

I think you'll see a familiar lighthouse on this list!

From Lake Michigan to Lake Superior, tour Wisconsin's most popular lighthouses and enjoy history, scenery, and photo-worthy views.

05/24/2026

Come visit Kewaunee and see all we have to offer!

Lighthouse tours Saturday, May 30 from 10am - 4pm

04/26/2026

Take a quick stroll through the lighthouse! Mark your calendar and climb to the top yourself during one of our public tour dates this summer