Wisconsin Lighthouses

"Lighthouses are a reflection of the human spirit and a mirror to our past."--from the Introduction

No symbol is more synonymous with Wisconsin's rich maritime traditions than the lighthouse. These historic beacons conjure myriad notions of a bygone era: romance, loneliness, and dependability; dedicated keepers manning the lights; eerie tales of haunted structures and ghosts of past keepers; mariners of yesteryear anxiously hoping to make safe haven around rocky shorelines. If these sentinels could talk, imagine the tales they would tell of ferocious Great Lakes storms taking their toll on vessels and people alike.
In this fully updated edition of Wisconsin Lighthouses, Ken and Barb Wardius tell those tales, taking readers on an intimate tour of lighthouses on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Winnebago. Both delightful storytellers and accomplished photographers, the couple complement their engaging text with more than 100 stunning color photographs, along with dozens of archival photos, maps, documents, and artifacts. Detailed "how to get there" directions, up-to-the-minute status reports on each light, and sidebars on everything from lighthouse vocabulary to the often lonely lives of lightkeepers make this the definitive book on Wisconsin's lighthouses.

In this fully updated edition of Wisconsin Lighthouses, Ken and Barb Wardius tell the many tales of Wisconsin's lighthouses, taking readers on an intimate tour of sentinels on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Winnebago. The couple complement their engaging text with more than 100 stunning color photographs, along with dozens of archival photos, maps, documents, and artifacts. Detailed "how to get there" directions, up-to-the-minute status reports on each light, and sidebars on everything from lighthouse vocabulary to the often lonely lives of lightkeepers make this the definitive book on Wisconsin's lighthouses.

The new edition is excellent, with almost all new photos and extensively revised and expanded text. Barb and Ken have a keen eye for photographing Wisconsin's maritime "castles" and writing in a style that is interesting, educational and historically accurate. This volume is not just a revision. It is a wonderful addition to Wisconsin's maritime past and offers additional insight into the lives of the Keepers of our Lights. (Linda Nenn, volunteer Assistant Director, Port Washington WI 1860 Lighthouse and Light Station Museum)

Wisconsin Lighthouses is a wonderful historical treasury, and an excellent giftbook for lighthouse aficionados everywhere!(James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review)