How brightly the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse shines! Today, its crisp white conical tower and charming red-roofed buildings make it a picture-perfect part of the Chicago shoreline. But this lighthouse has a history as practical as it is picturesque. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is the only surviving lighthouse in Chicago. It’s also one of only two remaining lighthouses in all of Illinois. The lighthouse was built in 1893, a pivotal year for Chicago. The city was hosting the World’s Columbian Exposition, a grand showcase of culture and technology. While the lighthouse wasn’t finished in time for the fair, something else was: a magnificent Third Order Fresnel lens. This lens, with its alternating red and white panels, had actually been intended for a lighthouse in California. But after its star turn at the Exposition, Chicago decided to keep it. This beautiful lens guided ships safely into Chicago’s harbor for years. The lighthouse itself wasn’t always in its current location. In 1917, renovations on the breakwater led to the lighthouse being moved. It was during this move that the attached fog signal room and boathouse were added. Today, the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse stands as a reminder of the city’s rich maritime history.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one