Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse, USLHS photo by Tom Tag

The city of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is on the west shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. The Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse, built in 1918, is one of the area’s most familiar icons. The lighthouse property was auctioned by the federal government in 2010 under the guidelines of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The buyer was Philip Carlucci of Melville, New York.

Courtesy of the Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary Club

Since he’s owned the lighthouse, Phil Carlucci has been responsible for much restoration. He has now partnered with the Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary Club to offer public tours of the lighthouse. Members of the club keep the building clean and offer tours on a regular basis. Interviewed in this podcast episode are three board members of the Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary Club:  Paul Roekle, Dennis Huckins, and Mike Woznick.

Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse soon after it was constructed (National Archives)