North break wall removed at Algoma Harbor on Lake Michigan, June 29, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Construction is underway along the Lakeshore to replace an old break wall and improve the iconic Algoma Pierhead Light.
With each purposeful swipe, Algoma City Administrator Matt Murphy says a crane clears the way for reconstruction here to begin.
“The Army Corps of Engineers is rebuilding the whole wall. The wall will have sheeting encased all around it. Once it’s done, then they’ll fill it back with aggregate stone. Then concrete to finish it off on the top of it,” said Matt Murphy, Algoma City Administrator.
But before the work can begin, the old red iconic pierhead light was removed June 9.
“Where’s the pierhead light? Everybody wants to know where’s the pierhead lighthouse? Is it coming back?” asked Murphy.
People are asking. Jeff Meyer and his wife Deb Meyer are from Monroe in southern Wisconsin. They say port and the pierhead light go hand-in-hand.
“Sure they do. It’s synonymous with the city of Algoma. It’s been there longer than we can remember,” said Jeff Meyer, Monroe.
“I’m a painter. So I’ve painted it multiple times. From 5 x 7, to 20 x 40. So we really enjoy it. Kind of surprised when I saw it wasn’t there,” said Deb Meyer, Monroe.
“The lighthouse is up at Roen Salvage in Sturgeon Bay, where the City of Algoma is having it repainted. And it will be brought back down here and put into place for everybody that’s missing it,” said Murphy.
Matt Murphy says the city owns the lighthouse and will pay about $20,000 to get it painted. It’s all part of a $15 million federally-funded project to replace the north break wall. Until then, he says people using the harbor need to be careful.
“They just have a pole with a light on it right now. But there is a navigation light out there. Be mindful for it. You don’t see the big red tin can out there. Not right now, But it will be back,” he said.
Construction on the north break wall is expected to take a couple of years.
City leaders say if everything goes according to plan, the pierhead lighthouse could be finished by September.
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