Light Hearted ep 303 – Amy Frank, Door County Historical Society and Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, WI

Light Hearted

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Wisconsin (courtesy photo)

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, established in 1868, is on a 76-foot bluff in Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin. The square tower, constructed of Cream City brick from Milwaukee, is connected to the keeper’s house. The light served to guide shipping through the Strawberry Channel. In its active history (1868-1926), there were only three keepers. William Duclon served an impressive 35 years (1883-1918). He and his wife raised seven sons at the light station. When the lamp was automated with acetylene gas in 1926, the era of resident keepers and their families at Eagle Bluff came to a close.

1905 view from the water (courtesy photo)

Keeper William Duclon and his wife Julia lived at Eagle Bluff for 35 years (courtesy photo)

The Door County Historical Society in Wisconsin operates two historic sites: Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park and Heritage Village at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay. Restoring and furnishing Eagle Bluff Lighthouse began in 1960 and took three years to complete. Since that time, the society has maintained the site and offered tours during the summer and fall months. Interviewed in this episode is Amy Frank, executive director of the Door County Historical Society.