Lower Range Light at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, June 5, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
BAILEYS HARBOR, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — When it comes to the Range Lights at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, about 10,000 people visit the site each year.
But only a relative-handful gets to stay the night.
Since 1869, the set of two range lights has guided boaters into Baileys Harbor.
“Baileys Harbor was a tricky place to get into, because there’s shoals on each side of the entrance. And if you come in wrong, you’re going to hit the shoal, and you’ll wreck your boat,” said Ed Miller, Baileys Harbor Range Lights.
Miller volunteers at the range lights. He says keeping the lighthouse operational was a full-time responsibility.
“I guess it continued on, the traditions of this being home of people that took care of the lighthouses. It was home of the lighthouse keepers. And it’s gone on to be where we now have lighthouse docents living here,” he said.
Volunteer docents, like Kris Lee, and her husband Mark Lee.
“We love lighthouses. We were visiting here last fall, and heard about the resident-docent program, and thought it would be a neat experience. So we applied. And we’re happy that we’re here,” said Mark Lee.
“We stay in the lighthouse, and we do tours. We do the lighthouse keeper’s job. We clean. We make sure it’s ready for visitors. And we share the story of the lighthouse. What being a range light is, and how it’s different from a lighthouse, and a little bit about the people who live here,” said Kris Lee.
What started last year as a four-day stay has grown to a week.
“It is a lot of fun. It is interesting to talk to the people who come and visit, and actually learn the history. The local history of Baileys Harbor, and the Baileys Harbor Range Lights,” said Mark Lee.
“We want to give people a real sense of what history was. It’s very important to be as authentic as you can be. And that’s what we strive to do,” said Miller.
The resident lighthouse docent program at The Ridges Sanctuary accepts new applicants each year.
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