Port Washington- Art Deco Pierhead and Lighthouse

The first lighthouse was built in Port Washington in 1849. In 1860 this lighthouse was rebuilt on the bluff in the north part of the town. The lighthouse was on a yellow brick building that was 40 feet tall. The lantern was accessible by climbing into the attic and then to another set of stairs to the watch room and the lantern deck. This lighthouse is no longer operatioinal today but can still be seen on the bluff overlooking the harbor. The Port Washington Historical Society has a wealth of information about the lighthouse and the lighthouse keepers through the years.

The first pierhead light was built in Port Washington in 1889 and was a pyramidal wooden framework tower. In 1935 the current pierhead light station was built. It is a art-deco style. This light is now serviced by the Coast Guard out of Milwaukee.

There is a red light atop the lighthouse that is a harbor light. It flashes once every 6 seconds and is visible to boats 8 miles out in the harbor.

There is also a fog horn that is mounted on top of the lighthouse. It gives 2 blasts every 30 seconds at 24 second intervals.

For more infomation you can go to the web site at PortWashington Lighthouse.

The pierhead light is connected to the harbor by a breakwater made of steel decking, large stones and concrete. You can walk out to light along the breakwater which is 2500 feet log. In this photo you can see the large number of people that gather under the light to fish or just enjoy the view.

I thought I could capture the lighthouse without so many people around it if I got up very early. I was up before dawn and still there were people around the pierlight. Here is a lone early morning fisherman just under the lighthouse.

I decided to get up very early to try to get some photos of the sun rising over the lighthouse. I wasn't able to get the lighthouse in my shots, however I was rewarded for my early morning outing by some spectacular sunrise shots. The sky was somewhat cloudy so at first I didn't think I'd catch the sunrise, but then all of a sudden it was there, coming out of the clouds. Well worth the wait!!

I love the way the sun went in and out among the early morning clouds.

This photo was taken of the Fishermen Statue in the predawn light. It includes a shot of the harbor and art deco lighthouse in the background.

I love this closeup of the weathered face of the old fisherman.

Here you see a photo of the boats in the harbor.

This is a long shot that shows the pierhead lights guarding the way to the harbor entrance.

I love this brightly colored purple lily that was growing in the park.

The park by the harbor had a wonderful variety of beautiful flowers growing all around it's paths and the memorial. These "Black-eyed Susans" surrounded the Fishermen's Memorial.

Thistle plants were growing among the rocks alongside the harbor.

I love this beautiful Cone Flower that was growing in Rotary Park near the Fishermen's Memorial.