Michigan City East Pierhead Light Tower and Elevated Walk - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

In 1871 a white painted timber light tower was built at the end of the wooden breakwater. In 1886 a storm washed away the light tower, and other storms damaged the wooden breakwater. The breakwater was eventually replaced with stone and concrete, and in 1904 the present lighthouse structure was built. It had a oil vapor lamp with a 5th order Fresnel lens. In 1933 electric was run out to the light house and an electric lamp replaced the oil lamp.

The lighthouse still operates and is maintained by the US Coast Guard. It is automated and unmanned, and the Coast Guard was considering removing the walkway because it was no longer necessary and expensive to maintain. Concerned citizens of Michigan City launched a successful effort to keep the walkway. The Coast Guard donated the walkway to the city in 1991.

The public can walk on the breakwater right up to the lighthouse, but entry into the lighthouse is not allowed. Storms often cause waves large enough to wash over the breakwater, and in winter time wind blown ice accumulates on it. So, walking on the breakwater is recommended only in fair weather.

The closest parking (for the adjacent beach, Washington Park) is a city owned lot with a parking fee, $6 weekends and $3 weekdays in the summer months. Parking coordinates are about 41 43.458, 86 54.276

The small light in the distance in the photo of this lighthouse is the light on the west pierhead. Being on an island, access is more difficult.

Street address: Washington Park on the shore of Lake Michigan Michigan City, Indiana US 46360 County / Borough / Parish: La Porte County Year listed: 1988 Historic (Areas of) Significance: architecture/engineering Periods of significance: 1900-1924 Historic function: transportation, lighthouse for navigation Current function: transportation, lighthouse for navigation Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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