News Release

National Park Service Advances Plans to Relocate Chequamegon Point Light Tower

News Release Date: August 25, 2026

BAYFIELD, Wis. — Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has awarded a $167,400 contract for the deconstruction and removal of the historic Chequamegon Point Light Tower on Long Island due to structural failure.

The National Park Service announced in May 2026 that the 42-foot tower cannot remain in its current location. Shoreline erosion and storm damage have caused significant structural failures, including failing footings, severed anchors, and damaged structural braces, leaving the tower at imminent risk of collapse into Lake Superior.

“Protecting public safety and preserving the integrity of our maritime heritage are our core responsibilities,” said Superintendent BriAnna Weldon. “Awarding this contract allows us to move quickly to address an urgent safety concern while still ensuring the tower's remaining historic materials are carefully documented and preserved for the future.”

Due to the imminent safety risk, the National Park Service pursued the contract on an emergency basis through a competitive contracting process.

Deconstruction and removal efforts include labeling and inventorying individual structural elements, deconstructing the components, and transporting them to an off-site storage location for preservation. The work is expected to begin this fall and conclude by Oct. 31, 2026.

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