Greeted by a blustery spring day, overhead mares' tails and colorful beds of daffodils add a few cheery highlights to this Fond du Lac landmark. Snuggled up to Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago, the Fond du Lac Lighthouse followed a typical lifespan of an American lighthouse. Built in the 30s with mostly with hand labor, the lighthouse was quickly adopted by the city. After 30 years of service the lighthouse slowly fell into disrepair, and eventually needed rescued by the Fond du Lac community.
   Fond du Lac has always embraced their octagon lighthouse, seen all over town on billboards, advertisements and road signs. The 40 foot wood-frame tower, a focal point of Lake Winnebago’s Lakeside Park, was built during the Depression Era. With unemployment approaching a quarter of the workforce, the lighthouse project was a boost for the local economy. Built on a stone foundation, the lighthouse tower included an interior staircase which leads to an observation deck. The deck overlooks Lakeside Park, the harbor entrance, and the bustle of the local yacht club. Instead of being scrapped, lighthouse restoration became a community project. Saved in 1966, the lighthouse received further refurbishment in 1993 and still paints a beautiful Wisconsin lakeshore scene.

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