The Twin Beacons of Sand Island: 150-Year-Old Lighthouses, One from Sandstone,

The Sand Island Light, a part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin since 1977, was erected in 1881. It was made from rustic brown sandstone, mined right on the island. This sandstone twin stands alongside the Chambers Island lighthouse, its counterpart exhibiting the same design but constructed from brick instead. Intriguingly, the mirror image of Sand Island, carved from the island's very stone, retains the unique imprints of the quarrying process on the rock ledges.On the northern side of the island, the Sand Island lighthouse stands tall and proud, its sandstone tower subtle against the lake's backdrop and its distinctive black stripe adding a touch of charm.Throughout history, the keepers have left their mark; Charles Lederle, the first keeper, saved the crew of the Canadian steamer Prussia.

Ella Luick, wife of later keeper Emmanuel Luick, chronicled her experiences during her husband's absence in her logbook. Each of the keepers contributed to the rich history of Sand Island; however, the ancient quarrying marks on the rock ledges may be the ones that endure the test of time.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons