DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An iconic lighthouse in Door County is getting some financial help to offset expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials at the Baileys Harbor Range Lights recently received an emergency relief grant from the United States Lighthouse Society.
For the past 152 years, the range light system has guided boaters through dangerous waters in Baileys Harbor.
“They’re 950 feet apart, and the upper range light is about 17 feet higher, than the lower range light. You keep the upper range light lined up above the lower range light, and you can get safely in,” said Ed Miller, Baileys Harbor Range Lights Caretaker.
And in recent years, caretaker Miller says the range lights at The Ridges Sanctuary have been restored.
“This is the range light today. It’s a more modern beam, but it’s still a Fresnel lens,” he said.
Miller says for $5, people are able to tour the historic site, until COVID-19 cut those visits by 90 percent.
“Last year, we weren’t really able to have many tours in the lighthouse, and that’s a really great way to generate revenue that goes to support the lighthouse. So obviously when we have less people, we had less revenue coming in,” said Andy Gill, The Ridges Sanctuary Executive Director.
Gill says officials at the sanctuary looked for help. The U.S. Lighthouse Society typically awards 35 grants each year for preservation and restoration projects, but in response to the pandemic, an emergency relief grant totaling $1,000 was headed to The Ridges.
“It goes to offset a lot of the expenses and the cost of operating and maintaining the range lights,” said Gill.
“It helps. It covers our propane costs for the year. It covers our electrical and utilities costs for the year. And probably our insurance. So it goes a long way. Everything that we get, that we get is important to the lighthouse, through donations from members, people interested in lighthouses, and other grants, it all helps. It’s what keeps us going,” said Miller.
The Ridges Sanctuary is a non-profit nature preserve located in Baileys Harbor.
The 1,600-acre site offers programs and experiences in education, research, and land preservation.
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