June 1, 2025
Point Beach Forest Park, WI to Sturgeon Bay, WI
Day 4 - Sunday
I woke again early at 4:30 a.m., as it was just getting light and the birds are up. It was a cold night, I woke multiple times cold and putting on extra clothes. I woke up wearing two pairs of socks, cycling tights and pants, 3 t-shirts and my jacket. It was even colder this morning waking up to 44 degrees F.
We packed up and at 7:30 a.m. rode out to the picnic area at the beach as it was sunny. There we ate our muffins and cleaned our teeth.
I decided to get some morning photos of the Rawley Point lighthouse as the sun was in a better position. Once we we were finished we pushed off at 8:15 a.m.
I had neglected to get the lighthouse stamp from the office last night when we checked in and it was closed when we rode past so I will send a request to them when I get home.
The roads were hilly this morning. We rode through a giant solar panel farm and when we went to make out next right turn they had closed the road to install more panels. So we headed up on to Hwy 42 instead. Once were back on route we stopped a few times due to hills and wind. It was slow and tough going and I was not feeling it this morning.
Once we left Hwy 42 for county roads we found the Forest Hill Cemetery. It was interesting to read the European names of the early settlers in this area. Koller is of German decent while Hamacek is Czech.
Reaching the town of Kewaunee, we rode out on the pier to the lighthouse.
Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse
During 1850 and 1851, a pier was built at the mouth of the Kewaunee River extended into Lake Michigan. Although requests for a lighthouse were made, the civil war stopped any construction until 1889.
The construction of an open framework tower on the end of the north pier begun in June 1889 and the light was first exhibited on August 20, 1889.
After a railroad was completed between Kewaunee and Green Bay, a railroad car ferry service between Kewaunee and Frankfort, Michigan was established in October 1891,
Also in 1891, the north pier was extended 300 feet and the framework tower was moved about 200 feet along the new pier. At the same time a front light was established to form range lights to mark the approach to the harbor.
In November of 1894, the front range light was discontinued, and the framework tower was relocated 300 feet nearer the outer end of the northern pier. At this time a fog signal was installed.
By October 1895, the front range was reestablished.
A duplex for the keepers was constructed in 1908.
The south pier was replaced with a much stronger concrete pier in 1912, and the range lights and fog signal were moved again.
In 1931, a lantern room was installed on top of the fog signal building. In 1938, the old steel tower barged to Chicago and the tower used at the Chicago Harbor Southeast guide wall at the entrance to Chicago River.
The old north pier was removed between 1935 & 1938 and a breakwater was installed.
Surplus to requirements, the Coast Guard offered the lighthouse and in September 2010 the city of Kewaunee took procession.
In June 2019, the Fresnel lens was removed from Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse and placed on display in the Kewaunee County Historical Society’s History Center.
Along with the lighthouse, Kewaunee had a number of historical structures to view. Across the channel was the . Built in 1893 before the establishment of the Coast Guard. The station closed in 1947.
The Railroad Depot, built in the 1890s was the terminus for the Western Railroad that ran from Green Bay to Kewaunee. The rail line is now the Ahnapee State Trail.
The tug Ludington was built for WW2 and christened the Major Wilbur F Browder. The tug participated in the D-Day Invasion towing ammunition barges across the English channel. In 1947 the Army Corps Engineers stationed the tug in Kewaunee and named her Tug Ludington.
Back on the main street we cycled back to take a photo of Parkos Mobil, a Tudor Revival style service station opened in 1931, In 1966 it was sold to Parkos Oil.
Back down by the lakefront we found a picnic area at the Ahnapee State Trail trailhead, with a shelter with electrical plugs so we were able to charge devices while we ate out lunch.
Part of the picnic shelter was the worlds largest grandfather clock, built in 1976 for the bi-centennial. The clock was restored and moved to it's present location in 2013.
After lunch we rode to the northern outskirts of town on Hwy 42 to collect the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse stamp from the Coho Motel.
Once I had my book stamped we decided to stay on Hwy 42 to Algoma cutting out a small section of county roads from our original route.
While riding past the Alaskan Golf Club (not sure we are that far north) a guy sliced a ball and it came bouncing along the side of the rode as we cycled past. We had a bit of a laugh as the golfer was yelling and was very apologetic.
Just before Algoma we stopped for a brief break at a Family Dollar for a Gatorade.
Riding into Algoma we stopped to use the facilities outside the Chamber of Commerce but as it was Sunday the office itself was closed.
We didn't ride out on the south pier, as this lighthouse overall isn't that significant, instead stopping at the marina to take a couple of photos.
We crossed the 2nd street bridge over the Ahnapee River to collect a stamp from the Harbor Inn but when we arrived there was a sign saying they no longer had the stamp and it was at the Chamber of Commerce. Having already been there earlier and knowing the Chamber was closed, we pushed on up the road on Lakeview Drive.
Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse
An artificial harbor was constructed at Algoma and a lighthouse was established in March 1893.
The thirty-five-foot tower was erected on the northern wooden pier.
A six-room brick keepers house was completed in June 1909.
A fog signal was installed in April 1910.
The current tower was relocated to Algoma in 1932 and automated in 1973.
Surplus to requirements, the Coast Guard offered the lighthouse and in May 2014 the city of Algoma were awarded the property.
The historic Fresnel lens was removed in 2019, replaced by an LED beacon.
After restoration, the Fresnel lens was placed on exhibit at Milwaukee’s North Point Lighthouse.
We decided to remain on our planned route instead of cutting up Hwy 42. And so glad we did, the hills weren’t to bad and views were superb.
On County Road U we crossed into Door County.
La Salle Park was on a headland and we hiked down to the waterfront, hiking back up the hill we made short time of it as the mosquitoes were in attack mode.
Turning onto South Lake Michigan Drive, the road hugged the water front and was absolutely gorgeous.
The road turned to gravel with little civilization and we saw the opportunity where we could have camped on beach if it was warmer. However the likelihood of a stiff breeze blowing in off the water all night dampened that idea.
When we could go no further north we stopped to walk out for views of both the Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouses. The south pier afforded us views across the Sturgeon Canal of the rear light that we wouldn't be able to see when we were to visit the lighthouses tomorrow.
From there it was another 7 or 8 miles into the town of Sturgeon Bay. Just before town we picked up a bike trail to take us over Sturgeon Canal on the appropriately named Bay View Bridge. Then continued westward along the canal on Memorial Drive.
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Once we were in the small downtown area of Sturgeon Bay we found our accommodation for the night, the Holiday Music Motel. I had found this place online after discussing the pros and cons of spending the night wild camping somewhere along the canal. The forecast was for another cold night so sleeping indoors won the debate.
The motel buildings looked dated but the place had great reviews and looked to be well kept. We arrived without a booking so had to call and wait for the manager to come back from running an errand.
Once checked in, the manager was OK with bikes in the room as long as we were careful not to scratch the paint and or leave grease on the carpet. She had worked here for 11 years after a group of investors bought and renovated the place bringing it back to its 1950's glory.
If interested you can click the link and read the history or for the condensed version; a group of musicians purchased the motel, renovated and have hosted music festivals and recorded songs here.
Once we moved our stuff in which did entail removing our bags off the bikes to navigate the front door, Cameron wanted to go to Culvers and because we did need groceries and the grocery store was in the same direction, I agreed to ride another 3 miles across town.
For those considering staying at the motel, I would highly recommend the experience. And there are also ample restaurants within walking distance but not if you are craving Culvers.
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Once back at the motel we had showers and I worked on my journal, but by 9:30 p.m. I was struggling to stay awake so it was lights out for us at the Holiday Music Motel.
Today was a good bike touring day.
The extra miles to Culvers.
Today's ride: 57 miles (92 km)
Total: 180 miles (290 km)
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