Cana Island view from lighthouse tower, October 31, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — After what officials call a banner year, a popular Door County attraction is closed for the season.
The Cana Island Lighthouse wrapped up its final tower climb Thursday.
Park leaders say the weather had a significant impact.
“The last day of the year. We’ve been open since May 1. Done about 58,000 people through the island this summer. It’s been a good summer,” said Haldon Wilson, Cana Island Lighthouse keeper.
Wilson says Thursday’s overcast weather didn’t stop people from taking in the sights on the eight-acre island near Baileys Harbor.
“We have the keeper’s home. And you can go through both levels. So you have the assistant keeper’s upstairs level, and the keeper’s lower level. There are 97 steps to the top of the lighthouse, with three landings as you go. You can walk around the outside. You can see the original 155 year old Fresnel lens, still operational. Shines out for 18 nautical miles with a fixed light every night. It’s been doing that since 1869,” he said.
Climbing the 89-foot tall tower beckons many who visit the grounds. Joe Tovarek and his wife Elsa, from Whitewater, say it was worth the effort.
“I lost my breath a little bit, on the way up. And then going down, was a little scarier than going up. But it was good,” said Elsa.
“All the way. A lot of stairs. I can’t imagine carrying that oil up the stairs all the time. But very beautiful. Nice. It was really set up nicely here,” said Joe.
Getting to the island in 2024 may be a little easier. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Michigan water levels are trending down. Wilson says the causeway is dry, and that’s not all.
“You can walk the beaches now. You couldn’t do that two years ago. The water was right up to the trees. Now you can walk. It’s about a mile all the way around the island, and you can walk the whole beach. You can see the waves coming in. This time of year, they’re coming in from the north, so we’re seeing them break on the beach on the north side,” he said.
Officials say while the Cana Island Lighthouse may be closed for the season, the grounds are part of a county park, and will remain open to the public year-round.
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