Chicago Harbor Light - Photo Gallery

Chicago Attractions - Chicago Harbor Light

Downtown Chicago Things-To-Do :: Chicago Harbor Light

The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is an automated active lighthouse that stands at the end of the northern breakwater protecting the Chicago Harbor. The existing harbor light was built at the mouth of the Chicago River in 1893, which was the site of the previous lights. In 1919, it was moved to its present location on the north breakwater to the east of Navy Pier and the mouth of the Chicago River. The Chicago harbor Light is visible from downtown Chicago or the Navy Pier, but is best seen from a private boat. The light is an actively in service to aid navigation and access is not permitted.

The station consists of a 48-foot high, brick-lined round steel tower that is 18-feet in diameter. The lantern is 10-sided built of cast iron, and houses a Third Order Fresnel Lens that flashes a red light 82 feet above the water. The lens had been displayed at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1891 and was destined for the new Point Loma California light. However, the lens was installed in the Chicago light when completed in 1893. Keepers manned the station until 1979 when the light was automated.

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