Apostle Islands Lighthouses
N and E of Bayfield on Michigan, raspberry, Outer, Sand and Devils Islands, Bayfield, WIIn 1886, Ashland's first ore dock was completed. Though Ashland was never to rival Duluth-Superior as a port, its proximity to Michigan mines and its rail connections made it a convenient shipping point. Thus the earlier lighthouses, which had originally been aids to local navigation, took on an important new role as ships began calling regularly at Ashland. By 1906, Ashland recorded over 2,000 arrivals and departures in one year: more than eight vessels a day during the shipping season. The importance of the lights on the outer islands is indicated by an informal count taken from the Devil's Island tower. At that time, 120 vessels were in plain sight. Considering the amount of competition for the Great Lakes shipping dollar, it would not be uncommon for captains to try to cut time by running as close to the south shore and the islands as possible, counting on the lights to give them fair warning.
Unlike most mainland stations, long periods of complete isolation were key facts of life for the lighthouse keeper and his assistants. A tender of the U.S. Lighthouse Service (later, the U.S. Coast Guard) put the personnel on the islands at the beginning of navigation in the spring and took them off as ice formed in the fall. That final voyage often proved to be the hardest experience of the season. Many
ed into Duluth completely sheathed in Ice. Other times, the going was so difficult that the captain chose to put the keepers off on the ice near Oak Island, necessitating a long and cold walk into Bayfield. One year, the tender arrived at one of the islands to find the keeper's larder down to one can of soup. Perhaps the most gruesome, yet telling example of isolation occurred in the 1930s when the keeper of the Outer Island Light died toward the close of the navigation season. "Not until the tender came to remove the keepers and close the light did anyone on the outside know. For twelve days, the assistant keeper, unable to contact a passing vessel, had stuck it out alone. "4 However, in the 1940s, the conditions that led to that occurrence were eliminated by the automation of all the lights. A keeper was maintained at La Pointe light until 1964. The Coast Guard still keeps three-to-four men on Devil's Island to oversee and maintain that station.
Local significance of the building:
Unlike most mainland stations, long periods of complete isolation were key facts of life for the lighthouse keeper and his assistants. A tender of the U.S. Lighthouse Service (later, the U.S. Coast Guard) put the personnel on the islands at the beginning of navigation in the spring and took them off as ice formed in the fall. That final voyage often proved to be the hardest experience of the season. Many
ed into Duluth completely sheathed in Ice. Other times, the going was so difficult that the captain chose to put the keepers off on the ice near Oak Island, necessitating a long and cold walk into Bayfield. One year, the tender arrived at one of the islands to find the keeper's larder down to one can of soup. Perhaps the most gruesome, yet telling example of isolation occurred in the 1930s when the keeper of the Outer Island Light died toward the close of the navigation season. "Not until the tender came to remove the keepers and close the light did anyone on the outside know. For twelve days, the assistant keeper, unable to contact a passing vessel, had stuck it out alone. "4 However, in the 1940s, the conditions that led to that occurrence were eliminated by the automation of all the lights. A keeper was maintained at La Pointe light until 1964. The Coast Guard still keeps three-to-four men on Devil's Island to oversee and maintain that station.
Commerce; Transportation
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The ice cream sundae was reportedly invented in Two Rivers, Wisconsin in the late 1800s. The town still celebrates the invention of the sundae with an annual festival.
About Ashland County
Ashland County Timeline
Ashland County, Wisconsin has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and other Native American tribes. European exploration and settlement began in the late 17th century, with French fur traders and missionaries establishing a presence in the region. The area was heavily involved in the fur trade, with trappers and traders using the nearby waterways to transport goods.
In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.
The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.
In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.
The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.
Ashland County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ashland County, Wisconsin.
- 1860: Ashland County is created by the Wisconsin State Legislature
- 1870: Ashland becomes the county seat
- 1870s: Logging and sawmills drive the local economy
- 1883: The Wisconsin Central Railroad reaches Ashland
- 1894: Ashland experiences a devastating fire that destroys most of the city
- 1900: The population of Ashland County reaches its peak
- 1920s: The decline of the lumber industry leads to a shift in the local economy towards tourism and agriculture
- 1940s: Ashland County contributes to the war effort during World War II
- 1970s: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is established, boosting tourism in the area
- 1990s: The population of Ashland County begins to decline