At 111 feet (34 m) tall, it is the tallest lighthouse on the Wisconsin Shore and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[3] Rawley Point is named after Peter Rowley, who established a trading post in the area in 1835.

[4][5] Some accounts say that a light was established here as early as 1853, a 75 feet (23 m) tall arrangement of four poles holding a lantern; this was succeeded by a wooden house and tower.

[3] This structure proved ill-placed, and a more substantial building was erected beginning in 1873,[3] consisting of a brick house with an attached tower, about 100 feet (30 m) tall, in which was mounted a third order Fresnel lens.

[2][4][6] This tower had to be increased in height by adding two stages of trusswork to its base; a new service room was also inserted below the lantern.