The second half of the 19th century was a time of growth and industry in the Lake Michigan area. Chicago, Illinois during this era saw more shipping traffic than New York and San Francisco combined even though its shipping season was shortened by winter. By the 1870’s the smoke produced by steamers in Chicago’s harbor as well as the factories on land obscured the cast iron lighthouse built on the North Pier. The Light House Board recommended building a new lighthouse north of the city, away from the smoke, to serve as a guide towards the harbor. They decided to build the new light on the Grosse Point promontory in Evanston 13 miles north of the harbor.