It is still used as an active navigational aid under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Since the 1970s, both the lighthouse and its keeper's quarters are open for visitors to tour by means of the Door County Maritime Museum.

When the light first became electric in 1945, it was by an engine driven, 2 kW generator, and batteries that powered the 100 watt, 32 volt bulb.

The lighthouse is located on the 8.7-acre (3.5 ha) Cana Island connected to the mainland via a rocky channel.

But starting in 1900, top soil was hauled in by a crew of men with eight teams of horses and wagons.

The light is approximately 85 feet (26 m) above water level, and has a visual range of 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi).