Built in 1897 on Plum Island, Wisconsin, this historic lighthouse served as part of a range light system guiding vessels through the treacherous Porte des Morts — “Death’s Door” — passage between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The skeletal iron tower marked the front range, working in tandem with a rear light to keep ships on a safe course.
Now inactive and closed to the public, the light can only be viewed from the water or nearby Washington Island. The island itself is accessible by private boat. Golden hour and early morning offer the best photography conditions, with dramatic lake backdrops.
Nearby attractions include Washington Island, Rock Island State Park, and the Door County peninsula’s charming villages.
Explore Nearby
- Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin State Trunk Highway System — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
- Newport State Park — Dark Sky Site in Wisconsin
- Grand Traverse Island State Park — State Park in Wisconsin
- Peninsula State Park — State Park in Wisconsin
