Lake Havasu currently claims the title of “the city with most lighthouses in America,” and thanks to the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club, Arizona someday could surpass Michigan as the state with the most lighthouses. Arizona? Really? In the middle of the desert is not a place you would think of when you think of lighthouses. However, if you have been to Lake Havasu you may have seen the 24 replica of famous lighthouses from the East Coast, West Coast and the Great Lakes area.
I have been there a few times and have seen many of these 1/3 scale replicas. They are intriguing, thus I decided to explore these lighthouses and learn a little bit about the originals. This is part 2 of a 3-part series. Feel free to check out Part 1 of this 3 part series. I will be posing the 3rd part soon. In the meantime, enjoy these 8 lighthouses.
Alpena
Named Alpena, this lighthouse on Lake Huron near Alpena, Michigan stands on the north breakwater of Alpena Harbor. The light marks the entrance to the Thunder Bay River from Thunder Bay. The current lighthouse, built in 1914, replaced earlier wooden structures which had been in use since 1877 and 1888
Wind Point
Located at the north end of Racine Harbor in the state of Wisconsin, this lighthouse is in the village of Wind Point, Wisconsin. A signal house (horns removed, resonators still in place) remains on the grounds as well as a garage, two storage buildings, and an oil house. I found that very interesting. Hopefully I will get to see it someday.
Chicago Harbor/Navy Pier
Standing at the end of the northern break water protecting the Chicago Harbor, to the east of Navy Pier and the mouth of the Chicago River, this is still an active and automated lighthouse. It was constructed in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition and moved to its present site in 1919.I have actually seen this one while walking along the Navy Pier in Chicago, and it is amazing. I would love to go explore it when we have more time. Maybe on a future trip.
White Shoals
Located 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Lake Michigan, it is an active aid to navigation. I really want to see this and the Mackinac Bridge, so I will make it to this one someday. The White Shoal Light was the culmination of a forty-year effort—between 1870 and 1910—where engineers began to build lights on isolated islands, reefs, and shoals that were significant navigational hazards.
Algoma
First established in 1893 as a set of range lights, this lighthouse is located near Algoma in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. In 1907, with the keeper’s accommodations still unbuilt, the wooden tower was in a significant state of distress and the decision was made to replace the tower and it was rebuilt in 1908.
Lake Havasu Marina
It is located at the Lake Havasu Marina entrance and is a valuable aid to navigating Lake Havasu. The light is operational and is 17′ tall. The lighthouse itself is a white conical tower with two red bands. Nice way to be welcomed to the harbor!
Main Buffalo
Located at the mouth of the Buffalo River/Erie canal, directly across from the Erie basin marina and underneath the sky way in downtown Buffalo, New York, is the location of this lighthouse. The lighthouse was established and lit in 1833, deactivated in 1914 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Currituck Beach
On the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina, is an example of Gothic Revival architecture in the Currituck Beach Light. As such, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1973. Another note of interest, this lighthouse was not painted, leaving its brick facade visible
Hope you enjoyed these 8 lighthouse replicas located on Lake Havasu in Arizona. Please return soon to read about the remaining 8 lighthouses around the lake. A huge thank you to the Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau for the use of the lighthouse photos above.
Cool idea, lighthouses all over. Do boaters on the lake count on them, or just for fun?
Makes me want to go out, buy an RV and go see all the lighthouses in the world! I love lighthouses, and to have so many in one place, even if they’re “just” replicas, is great! Thanks, Samantha.
They are cool to see. Some are just for fun, but many of them do actually light up to help the boaters.