Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
Standing at the south end of the northern breakwater protecting Chicago Harbor, to the east of Navy Pier and the mouth of the Chicago River, Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is more than an automated active lighthouse; it is another historic Chicago attraction that serves as a backdrop to memorable moments and experiences abroad Adeline’s Sea Moose.
The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse mission is to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse for Future Generations.
The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was constructed in 1893 the same year as the World’s Columbian Exposition. The World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World in 1492. The Lighthouse moved to its current location in 1919.
The Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1984, and a Chicago Landmark on April 9, 2003. In 2010 the City of Chicago took over ownership of the Lighthouse from the General Services Administration (GSA), facilitated by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is an integral part of Chicago’s history and is a unique symbol of Chicago’s maritime past.
Lighthouses are an invaluable part of America’s maritime heritage, and the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse has been a beacon to Chicago for 130 years.
To learn more about the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and support their efforts, please visit savethelighthouse.org