Lighthouses of the United States: Kansas

The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states and a capital district. The state of Kansas is in the center of the country, far from the coasts. The Missouri River, flowing along the northeastern border of Kansas, is the only navigable waterway touching the state. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is responsible for navigation aids on the river.

When Kansas Territory was created in 1854 it included portions of modern Oklahoma and Colorado. The state, with its present boundaries, was admitted to the Union as the 34th state in 1861.

To be listed in the Directory, a lighthouse must actually serve as an aid to navigation. This means it must be located on a navigable lake or river and must be lit as a navigational aid at least during the local boating season.

USCG numbers are from Volume 5 of the U.S. Coast Guard List of Lights.

General Sources
U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center: Light Lists
The USCG Light List can be downloaded in pdf format.
Missouri River Lighthouse
Kansas City Water Intake
Date unknown. Active (privately maintained); focal plane about 40 ft (12 m); green flash every 6 s. About 40 ft (12 m) round masonry water intake tower. Warren White's photo is at right, Will England has a 2014 photo and a blog entry with additional photos, and Google has a satellite view and a very distant street view from the I-635 bridge. This may be a historic structure but we do not know its history. Located on the Missouri River about 0.6 mi (1 km) east of the I-635 bridge north of Kansas City. Site and tower closed but there is a view from the Missouri Riverfront Trail on the other side of the river. Owner/site manager: Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. USCG 5-19505.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Nebraska | East: Missouri | South: Oklahoma

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Kansas City Water Intake Light
Kansas City Water Intake Light, Kansas City, May 2013
photo copyright Warren White; used by permission

Posted July 31, 2013. Checked and revised October 1, 2023. Lighthouses: 1. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.