Waukegan Harbor Light

At the tip of Government Pier, at the foot of Madison Street in the city of Waukegan, Illinois, a lighthouse aids navigation for vessels. It stands at latitude 42.360694 and longitude –87.813417 (42°21′38.5″ N, 87°48′48.3″ W).

The iron tower is cylindrical, painted white with a green band, and it has no lantern. The structure rises 35 ft above the base and the light’s focal plane is 36 ft. Its green signal flashes with an occulting pattern every 4s and can be seen for 14 nmi. A foghorn sounds twice every 30s.

Waukegan Harbor Light was first erected in 1889 and the current light was first lit in 1899. A former light on the site had been lit in 1849. The tower was relocated in 1905 when the pier was extended, and a fog‑signal building was added at that time. A fire in 1967 destroyed the lantern and the fog‑signal house, leaving the cast‑iron tower intact; the lantern and remains were removed, returning the tower to its simple cylindrical appearance. The light was automated in 1939.

The aid remains active and is owned and maintained by the United States Coast Guard.

Light and tower

It was first lit in 1849. It was automated in 1939.