Ontario Lighthouses: Lake Huron

Ontario has a tremendous width east to west, including the entire Canadian side of the Great Lakes. Across this vast area there were once about 250 lighthouses. More than 130 remain, a large percentage of them active.

Unfortunately, there is no provincial lighthouse preservation society. Although much restoration work has been done locally, the various efforts seem disconnected. The good news is that in recent years the provincial and federal government have been more supportive of lighthouse preservation. The Canadian Coast Guard, in particular, has quietly retired its former policy of quickly demolishing deactivated light towers.

A note: this page has been greatly improved by the comments and corrections of Michel Forand. I'd also like to thank Ron Walker of the Canadian Coast Guard for answering a number of questions. (If errors remain, they are mine.)

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Notmar numbers are from the Inland Waters volume of the List of Lights, Buoys, and Fog Signals of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. For lights near the international border, USCG numbers are from volume 7 of the U.S. Coast Guard Light List.

What's Hot:

General Sources
Lighthouses in Ontario, Canada
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Lighthouses of Lake Huron
Photos posted by C.W. Bash.
Lighthouses of the Great Lakes
This site, maintained by Neil Shultheiss, has excellent photos and brief but informative accounts for many of the lighthouses on both the Canadian and U.S. sides of the Lakes.
Images of Ontario Lighthouses
Photos of more than 60 towers.
Bruce Coast Lighthouse Tour
Photos and information for the lighthouses of the Bruce Peninsula.


Goderich Main Light, August 2006
Creative Commons photo by Cindy Funk

Southern Lake Huron Lighthouses
* Goderich Main (2)
1847 (station established early 1830s). Active (maintained by the town of Goderich); focal plane 42.5 m (140 ft); two white flashes every 25 s. 11 m (35 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern and gallery painted red. This is the oldest Canadian light station on Lake Huron. Cindy Funk's photo appears above, and Schultheiss has several good photos. Located in a town park atop a high bluff at the end of West and Lighthouse Streets in Goderich; also accessible by climbing a long set of stairs from the beach along Cove Road. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Town of Goderich. ARLHS CAN-546; Notmar 777.
Goderich North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); green flash every 4 s. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal concrete tower with a workroom in the base. Located at the end of the north breakwater sheltering Goderich harbor. Accessible only by boat the (breakwater does not connect to shore). Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-1009; Notmar 778.
**** Point Clark
1859 (John Brown). Active; focal plane 28.5 m (93 ft); white flash every 10 s. 26.5 m (87 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. The original 1-1/2 story stone keeper's house is now a museum. A 1-story garage is also preserved. Of the six Imperial Towers built by John Brown on Lake Huron, this is the best known and most accessible. It became a national historic site in 1967. The Township of Huron-Kinloss maintains the site and operates the museum. Located in Point Clark, off ON 21 about 35 km (20 mi) south of Kincardine and 65 km (40 mi) north of Goderich. Google has a satellite view. Site open; museum and tower open daily (small admission fee) from late June to Labor Day. Owner: Parks Canada (Point Clark Lighthouse National Historic Site). Site manager: Township of Huron-Kinloss. ARLHS CAN-388; Notmar 782.
**** Kincardine (Range Rear)
1881. Active (privately maintained since 1980); focal plane 24 m (80 ft); red flash every 5 s. 19 m (63 ft) octagonal frame tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story stone and frame keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with red trim; the lantern and gallery are red and the tower has an orange-red vertical stripe marking what was formerly a range line (the front range light has been discontinued recently). A fine closeup photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This unusual lighthouse is one of the best known landmarks of the Lake Huron shoreline. In 1980 it was officially deactivated but leased to the local yacht club, which has continued to maintain the light. The keeper's house is the headquarters of the yacht club, but it also includes a small maritime museum exhibiting artifacts from the Bruce County Museum. Guided tours of the tower are available when the museum is open. Located on Huron Terrace at Harbour Street in downtown Kincardine; Google has a satellite view. Site open; museum and tower open daily (small admission fee) from July 1 to Labor Day. Owner: Town of Kincardine. Site manager: Kincardine Yacht Club. ARLHS CAN-264; Notmar 784.

Point Clark Light; Canadian Coast Guard photo
McNab Point (Southampton Harbour Range Rear)
1877. Inactive for most of the 1970s and since 1989. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, covered since 1988 with white aluminum siding; lantern painted red. Originally located on the north side of Horseshoe Bay south of Southampton; relocated in 1901 to McNabb (or McNab) Point, the tip of the peninsula south of Horseshoe Bay. Located in an area of vacation homes; there's no public access. Visible from the water or distantly from Chantry Island Light. Site and tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-643.
Chantry Island
1859 (John Brown). Active; focal plane 31 m (103 ft); white flash every 4 s. 26 m (86 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. The original 2° Fresnel lens remains in use. Original 1-1/2 story stone keeper's house, recently restored. An excellent 2007 photo and a closeup photo are available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This is another of the six Imperial Towers built by John Brown on Lake Huron. The Supporters of Chantry Island (now the Southampton Marine Heritage Society) formed in 1998 to work for restoration of the light station, and through their efforts the keeper's house has been restored. In 2008, the Town of Saugeen Shores leased the lighthouse from the Coast Guard. The island is a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Located on the east side of the island about 1 mile off the Southampton beachfront; visible from the end of Beach Street in Southampton. Accessible only by boat; the preservation group offers guided tours periodically during the summer. Site and tower generally closed (wildlife preservation area) except for guided tours. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Southampton Marine Heritage Society. ARLHS CAN-619; Notmar 788.
* Saugeen River Range Front (2)
1903 (station established 1883). Active; two lights on one tower: (1) Saugeen Light, focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous white light; and (2) Saugeen River Range Front Light, focal plane 10 m (34 ft), continuous green light visible only on and near the range line. 11 m (36 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line; lantern roof is red. User-activated fog horn (3 s blast every 20 s). C. W. Bash has a good photo. Located at the end of the breakwater on the north side of the Saugeen River entrance and at the end of Rankin Street in Southampton. Google has a satellite view. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-626; Notmar 790.
* Saugeen River Range Rear (2)
1903 (uncertain when a rear light was first added). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); continuous green light visible only on and near the range line. 10 m (33 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line; lantern roof is red. C. W. Bush has a photo. This lighthouse is a well known Southampton landmark. When the Coast Guard began to replace its shingles with aluminum siding in 1989, public protests convinced them to mount new shingles instead. Located on South Rankin Street on the west side of ON 21. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-627; Notmar 791.
Bruce Peninsula Lighthouses
Stokes Bay Range Front (Knife Island)
1904. Recently deactivated (sometime in the 1990s). 10 m (33 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Modern light (focal plane 9.5 m (31 ft); red flash every 4 s) on a cylindrical tower immediately in front of the historic light. Ron Walker has contributed a photo showing both light towers. The abandoned lighthouse is probably endangered; Watch List. Located at the northwesternmost point of the Knife Islands on the south side of the entrance to Stokes Bay, on the west side of the peninsula. Accessible only by boat (a popular destination for kayakers); there is a view from the Tamarac Island Inn. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-624; Notmar 797.
Stokes Bay Range Rear (Lyal Island)
1904. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); continuous red light visible only on the range line. 19.5 m (64 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with lantern and gallery; the top 1/5 of the tower is enclosed. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Lighthouse painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Located on Lyal Island about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) east northeast of the front range light. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-625; Notmar 798.
Cove Island
1858 (John Brown). Active; focal plane 31 m (101 ft); white flash every 5 s. 24 m (80 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story stone keepers house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern is red. Of the six Imperial Tower light stations of Lake Huron, this is the most complete: the fog signal building, boathouse, two assistant keeper's houses, outbuildings and dock all remain. Kelly Anne Loughery's photo is at right, Simon Chambers has a good 2007 photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The Cove Island Lightstation Heritage Association, formed in 2005, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Coast Guard to restore and preserve the light station. Volunteers from the Association have cleaned the tower and painted the keeper's house. Located at Gig Point on the northern corner of the island, marking the entrance to the main channel into Georgian Bay from Lake Huron. Google has a good satellite view. Accessible only by boat; tours from Tobermory are available in the summer. Visible from the ferry carrying ON 6 between Tobermory and South Baymouth. Site open, tower may be open to guided tours. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Parks Canada (Fathom Five National Marine Park). ARLHS CAN-149; Notmar 805.
* Big Tub (Lighthouse Point)
1885. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light. 12.5 m (41 ft) hexagonal frame tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Keeper's house reported available for vacation rental. A good photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. A well known symbol of Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. The lighthouse was repaired after being heavily damaged by a storm in 1987. The Friends of Bruce District Parks have improved the grounds and installed a walkway. Located at the end of Big Tub Road, which circles Big Tub Harbour from the ferry terminal. Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-549; Notmar 815.
*** Flowerpot Island (2)
1968 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 28 m (91 ft); continuous white light. Approx. 15 m (50 ft) square pyramidal steel tower, painted white; no lantern. Original 2-story keeper's house used as a museum. The original lighthouse was destroyed in 1969. A view from the lake is available, but the tower is hard to spot in a Google satellite view of the station. In 1995, the Friends of Bruce District Parks signed a memorandum of understanding with the Coast Guard to restore the surviving buildings. In summer 2005, work came to a temporary halt when the government demanded that the volunteer group assume all public liability for the site; fortunately this issue was resoved within a few weeks. The island, part of Fathom Five National Marine Park, is accessible by passenger ferry daily from mid May through September. Located on Castle Bluff at the northeastern point of the island about 7 km (4 mi) northeast of Tobermory. Site open (park entry fee); museum open daily from mid May to the end of September; tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Friends of Bruce District Parks. ARLHS CAN-181; Notmar 819.

Cove Island Light
photo copyright Kelly Anne Laughery
used by permission
**** Cabot Head (1)
1896. Inactive since 1971. Approx. 11 m (35 ft) square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with red trim and red roof; lantern is red. Active light (focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 15 s) on 13 m (42 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower next to the lighthouse. Original lantern removed, but replaced by a replica. Karthik Nagaraj has a great photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This lighthouse was restored in the 1980s by the Friends of Cabot Head and has been operated since as a museum. Located on the point of Cabot Head, about 20 km (13 mi) miles north of Dyer bay on the shore road; Google has a satellite view. Site open; museum and tower open daily May 1 to mid-October. Owner: Ontario Parks (Cabot Head Nature Reserve). Site manager: Friends of Cabot Head. ARLHS CAN-067; Notmar 826.
* Lion's Head Harbour (1) (replica)
1983 replica of 1903 lighthouse. Active since 2000; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. R.G. Daniel has a good closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse was replaced with a post light in 1969. The replica was built by local high school students in 1983 and stood nearby on the beach until 2000, when the post light was damaged by a storm. It was then moved to the end of the pier and activated. Located on the pier at Lion's Head, off ON 6 about 65 km (40 mi) southeast of Tobermory. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Town of Lion's Head. ARLHS CAN-276; Notmar 825.
* Cape Croker (2)
1909 (station established 1898). Active; focal plane 18.5 m (61 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery; original 3° Fresnel lens. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery red. 1-story keeper's house. Kelly Anne Loughery's photo is at right, a fine closeup by Weller Photography is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The cape area is a reservation of the Chippewa Nation of Nawash. Located at the end of Lighthouse Road, a dirt road off county road 18 north of Wiarton (ask locally for directions). Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-094; Notmar 828.
Griffith Island
1858 (John Brown). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 20 m (65 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story stone keepers house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern is red. The 1-story keeper's house is collapsing into ruins. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Another of the six "Imperial towers." The isolated lighthouse is rarely visited, and the keeper's house, abandoned since 1955, is reported near collapse. Located on the northeast point of the island off Cape Commodore at the base of the Bruce Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-216; Notmar 832.

Cape Croker Light
photo copyright Kelly Anne Loughery
used by permission
Southern Georgian Bay Lighthouses
Nottawasaga Island
1858 (John Brown). Active; focal plane 29.5 m (97 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 28.5 m (94 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story stone keepers house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern is red. Another of the six Imperial Towers. Gravely endangered; Watch List. The lighthouse was added to the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List in August 2003. Also in 2003, the Coast Guard announced it was abandoning this lighthouse and will not take action the next time its light fails. The outer wall of the tower was cracked badly, probably the result of lightning strikes, and a large section of the outer wall collapsed on the night of December 1-2, 2004. Lighthouse Digest covered the story in January 2005. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has allocated CA$230,000 to stabilize the lighthouse, and work was underway during the summer of 2005. A metal band was placed around the upper part of the lighthouse to guard against further collapse, the inner wall was coated and the space between the walls was sealed to prevent moisture damage. Lighthouse Digest reported on this work in February 2006. In a July 2006 photo the damaged area is on the right side of the tower. In November 2007 the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario met in Collingwood and was told that a full restoration will require replacement of the outer walls and will cost about CA$4.5 million. Located on a small island in the approach to Collingwood, at the southern end of Georgian Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed (bird sanctuary). Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-356; Notmar 845.
Hope Island (1)
1884. Inactive since the early 1990s. Approx. 11 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with gallery, painted white, attached to 1-1/2 story wood keeper's quarters. Lantern removed. Active light (focal plane 17.5 m (58 ft); white flash every 5 s) on 15.5 m (51 ft) square skeletal tower standing next to the historic lighthouse. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse deteriorated badly after abandonment, as can be seen in Chad Sexington's 2003 photo. The Huronia Lightstation Preservation Society, formed in 2001, works for its restoration in cooperation with the Beausoleil First Nation, which owns the island. In fall 2003 volunteers replaced the wood siding on the tower. In 2006, HLPS was cleared by the federal government to begin a thorough restoration of the lighthouse. Located on the northeast point of the island in southeastern Georgian Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Huronia Lightstation Preservation Society (historic lighthouse) and Canadian Coast Guard (active light). ARLHS CAN-230; Notmar 857.
* Christian Island
1859. Active; focal plane 19.5 m (64 ft); white flash every 4 s. 18.5 m (61 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. 1-1/2 story stone keepers house in ruins. The original lantern has been replaced. Mike Bingley has a sunset photo, and a winter closeup is available. Another of the six Imperial Towers, this was the first lighthouse built on Georgian Bay. The island, principal home of the Beausoleil First Nation, is accessible by passenger ferry from Cedar Point. Located at the end of a sharp peninsula at the southeastern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-136; Notmar 857.5.
Giant's Tomb (2)
About 1967. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 15 m (50 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower fitted with white panels to form a large rectangular daymark. The daymark is so large, the tower has the appearance of a lighthouse from a distance. The Huronia Lightstation Preservation Society has a closeup photo. This light tower replaced an 1893 frame integral lighthouse. Located on the south point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-198; Notmar 859.
Brébeuf Range Front (Brébeuf Island)
1878 (relocated to this site in 1900). Active; focal plane 12 m (40 ft); continuous white light. 11 m (36 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story wood keeper's quarters. Lighthouse painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line; lantern and gallery painted red. The Huronia Lightstation Preservation Society has a 2002 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was relocated in 1900 from Gin Rock. The building is used by Coast Guard search and rescue students in the summer. Located on Brébeuf Island, a small island in the approaches to Waubaushene and Victoria Harbour. Accessible only by boat; visible distantly from the Georgian Trail on Beausoleil Island in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Site and tower closed (private property). Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-058; Notmar 864.
* Brébeuf Range Rear (Beausoleil Island) (2)
1915 (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); continuous white light. 27 m (88 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with enclosed lantern and watch room. Lighthouse painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Located on the west side of the island, accessible by hiking trails. No photo available. Beausoleil Island is a wilderness island accessible by passenger ferry from Honey Harbour. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Georgian Bay Islands National Park. ARLHS CAN-1027; Notmar 865.

Christian Island Light, March 2007
anonymous Creative Commons photo
* Midland Point Range Front (2)
About 1913 (station established 1900). Inactive since the late 1990s. 14.5 m (48 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the former range line. The lighthouse is now privately owned. The Huronia Lightstation Preservation Society has a 2002 photo. Located at the end of Midland Point Road north of Midland. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be seen through trees from the road. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-316.
* Midland Point Range Rear (2)
About 1913 (station established 1900). Inactive since the late 1990s. 8.5 m (28 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the former range line. It is now stands in front of a bed and breakfast inn. The Huronia Lightstation Preservation Society has a 2002 photo. Located at the end of Midland Point Road north of Midland. Site open to guests and apparently to visitors, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Beacon Shore Bed and Breakfast. ARLHS CAN-317.
Victoria Harbour Range Rear
1910. Inactive since the late 1990s. 10 m (32 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the former range line. The lighthouse appears in good shape in a 2001 photo. The Tay Township Heritage Committee has received ownership of the lighthouse; information is needed on restoration plans. Located near the intersection of William and Newton Streets in Victoria Harbour. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Tay Township. ARLHS CAN-1042.
Eastern Georgian Bay Lighthouses
Western Islands
1895. Active; focal plane 22.5 m (74 ft); white flash every 10 s. 15 m (50 ft) octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Ron Walker has contributed additional photos. Located on Double Top Island, a small, rocky island south of Parry Sound. Accessible only by boat, and landing on the island is dangerous. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-498; Notmar 902.
Red Rock (3)
1911 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 7 s. 13 m (43 ft) elliptical cylindrical concrete tower incorporating 2-story keeper's quarters, mounted on a concrete foundation. A helipad has been built above the lantern. Lighthouse itself painted white; lantern, helipad, and caisson are red. Shultheiss has a closeup photo of this unusual lighthouse, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The original lighthouse was destroyed by a storm in 1881. Located atop a rocky islet in the entrance to Parry Sound. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-429; Notmar 906.
Jones Island Range Front
1894. Active; focal plane 13 m (42 ft); continuous white light visible only on the range line. 11 m (37 ft) square wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red face on the range line. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Located on an island in Parry Sound. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-1033; Notmar 917.
Jones Island Range Rear
1894. Active; focal plane 18.5 m (61 ft); continuous white light visible only on the range line. 15.5 m (51 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the roof of a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; the tower has a red face on the range line. Ron Walker has contributed a photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on an island in Parry Sound. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-257; Notmar 918.

Western Islands Light
Canadian Coast Guard photo
[Cape Robert (lantern)]
1885. Inactive since the 1950s. Octagonal lantern from the demolished lighthouse at Cape Robert, Manitoulin Island, mounted on a 1-story octagonal guardhouse at the Parry Sound Coast Guard base. Guardhouse painted white with red trim, lantern red. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Site status unknown. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard.
Snug Harbour Range Rear
1894. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light. 14 m (45 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, centered on the roof of a 2-story wood keeper's house. The active light is a locomotive style lamp mounted in front of the lantern. Lighthouse painted white; front side of tower painted red with a black vertical stripe on the range line. A photo and another closeup photo are available. Located on an island off Snug Harbour on the north side of Parry Sound. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-463; Notmar 910.
*** Pointe au Baril Range Front
1889. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light visible only on the range line. Approx. 11 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story frame keeper's quarters. Lighthouse painted white with red trim; lantern is red. A photo appears at right. Before the lighthouse was built, a barrel on a pole was used as an aid to navigation; this gave the point its name. Now a replica barrel marks the spot. The lighthouse is open for tours during the summer and has a gift shop and bakery, all operated by the last keeper and her husband. Located on the point, off ON 69 about 65 km (40 mi) north of Parry Sound. Site open; lighthouse and tower open daily early June to Labor Day. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Pointe au Baril Lighthouse. ARLHS CAN-393; Notmar 942.
Pointe au Baril Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (88 ft); continuous red light visible only on the range line. Approx. 23 m (75 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with enclosed lantern, gallery, and watch room. Lighthouse painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Located on Macklin Island about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) east of the front range lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-1040; Notmar 943.

Pointe au Baril Range Front Light, August 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo
Northern Georgian Bay Lighthouses
Gereaux Island (2)
1880 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white light, 7 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 14 m (45 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-story wood keeper's quarters. Lighthouse painted white with red trim; lantern is red. The adjacent 1-story crew quarters building is used by Coast Guard search and rescue students in the summer. A closeup photo is available. Located on a small island south of the entrance to Byng Inlet. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-197; Notmar 954.
Byng Inlet Range Front (2)
1936 (station established 1890). Active; focal plane 11.5 m (38 ft); continuous red light visible only on or close to the range line. 10 m (34 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, with an orange daymark. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Located on the south side of the channel inside the entrance of Byng Inlet. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-066; Notmar 957.
Byng Inlet Range Rear (2)
1936 (station established 1890). Active; focal plane 19.5 m (64 ft); continuous red light visible only on or close to the range line. 18 m (60 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with enclosed lantern, gallery, and watch room, painted white, with an orange daymark. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Located on the south side of the channel inside the entrance of Byng Inlet. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-552; Notmar 958.
Bustard Rocks
1893. Active; focal plane 14.5 m (48 ft); white flash every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, paint white with red trim; lantern is red. This lighthouse previously carried the rear range lights for both eastbound and westbound ranges. Both ranges have been discontinued and a general-purpose light installed. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Located on a small rocky island west of the main Bustard Island, on the approaches to the French River. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-065; Notmar 966.
Bustard Rocks Eastbound Range Front
1875. Inactive. Approx. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Located on a small rocky island west of the main Bustard Island, on the approaches to the French River. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard.
Bustard Rocks Westbound Range Front
1875. Inactive. Approx. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. Located on a small rocky island west of the main Bustard Island, on the approaches to the French River. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard.
Lonely Island (2)
1907 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 59.5 m (195 ft); white flash every 10 s. 16.5 m (54 ft) octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. Ron Walker has contributed a photo. All other light station buildings demolished; the light is now accessed by helicopter. Lonely Island is an isolated high island about 30 km (19 mi) east of Manitoulin Island in the northwestern part of Georgian Bay. Located on a bluff on the north side of the island. Accessible only by air; island has no landing facilities for boats. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-282; Notmar 971.
* Killarney East (2)
1909 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. User-activated fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s). A nice September 2006 closeup is available. Located at the end of Ontario Street at the east end of Killarney, adjacent to Killarney Provincial Park; the Friends of Killarney Park have a nice photo and keep an eye on the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-262; Notmar 976.
Killarney Northwest (Killarney West End, Partridge Island) (2)
1909 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 12 m (40 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (29 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Located on Partridge Island about a mile northwest of Killarney, marking the west entrance to the harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-263; Notmar 978.
Northern Lake Huron (South Side Manitoulin Island) Lighthouses
* South Baymouth Range Front
1898. Active; focal plane 8.5 m (28 ft); continuous green light. 5 m (17 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. User-activated fog horn (2.5 s blast every 30 s). C.W. Bash has an excellent photo, and Schultheiss also has a page on these range lights. Located on the rocky beach in South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island, just west of the terminal for the ferry carrying ON 6 from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-591; Notmar 807.
* South Baymouth Range Rear
1898. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous green light. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Located on private property across the road from the front range light and just west of the ferry terminal. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-592; Notmar 808.
Great Duck Island (2)
1918 (station established 1877). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); three white flashes (separated by 2.5 s) every 15 s. 26 m (85 ft) octagonal concrete tower, painted white; lantern and gallery painted red. Great Duck Island is an uninhabited 1300 ha (5 sq. mi.) island in Lake Huron about 25 km (15 mi) off the southwestern coast of Manitoulin Island. Except for the light station it is privately owned. Located on the southwest coast of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-1032; Notmar 812.

South Baymouth Range Rear Light, October 2006
Creative Commons photo by C.W. Bash
*** Mississagi Strait
1873. Reactivated (inactive 1970-2003); focal plane 14 m (47 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11.5 m (38 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-1/2 story wood keeper's quarters. 1-story wood fog signal building (1881). Buildings painted white with red trim; lantern and gallery are red. The keeper's quarters houses a lighthouse museum, and the fog signal building is now a restaurant. A rare diaphone fog horn (1908) protrudes from the upper portion of the fog signal building. K.D. Johnson has a good photo, Schultheiss also has a page on this lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. The light was moved to a skeletal tower in 1970 and returned to the lighthouse in May 2003; the skeletal tower has been demolished. In 1983 the Meldrum Bay Society and the Manitoulin Tourism Association saved this historic and very attractive lighthouse from destruction by securing a lease from the Canadian Coast Guard. Located at the western tip of Manitoulin Island and at the end of Mississagi Lighthouse Road, off ON 540. Site open; museum and restaurant open daily May through September. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Manitoulin Tourism Association (Mississagi Lighthouse and Heritage Park). ARLHS CAN-322; Notmar 813.
North Channel (North Side Manitoulin Island) Lighthouses
Badgeley Island (Range Rear)
1912. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 4 s. 16 m (52 ft) square steel skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and enclosed watch room. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery red. Formerly the rear light of a range; the front range light was discontinued and demolished in 1981. Located on the south point of the island, marking the eastern entrance to the North Channel about 6 km (4 mi) southeast of Killarney. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-016; Notmar 987.
* Manitowaning
1885. Active; focal plane 24.5 m (81 ft); continuous green light. 10 m (34 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Murray Dewing has a good photo. Built above the harbor entrance, the lighthouse commands a view of Manitowaning Bay. Located at the end of Arthur Road off ON 6 in Manitowaning, on Manitoulin Island. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-302; Notmar 991.
Strawberry Island
1881. Active; focal plane 14.5 m (48 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (40 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with red trim; lantern is red. A fine 2007 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse guards the eastern approach to the Little Current Strait, where ON 6 crosses from the mainland to Manitoulin Island. The keeper's quarters is leased as a private residence. Located at the northern tip of the island about 8 km (5 mi) east of Little Current. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-483; Notmar 996.
* Kagawong (2)
1894 (station established 1880). Active; focal plane 13.5 m (44 ft); continuous red light. 9.5 m (31 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. C. W. Bash has a photo. The lighthouse overlooks Main Street and the harbor of Kagawong, on ON 540 on the north shore of Manitoulin Island. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-259; Notmar 1019.
* Gore Bay (Janet Head)
1879. Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with red trim; lantern is red. C. W. Bash has a good photo. The lighthouse is leased to the owners of the adjacent campground; they use it as their residence. Gift shop on site. Located at the end of Water Street off ON 540 in Gore Bay on the north shore of Manitoulin Island. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Janet Head Tent and Trailer Park. ARLHS CAN-203; Notmar 1023.
St. Joseph Channel Lighthouses
McKay Island
1907. Inactive. Approx. 12 m (40 ft) square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery mounted on the roof of 2-story square wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. The active light (focal plane 14 m (45 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off) is on a 10 m (32 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower carrying a red and white rectangular slatwork daymark. C.W. Bash's photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is available year-round for vacation rental. Located on an island off Bruce Mines on the north side of the channel. The island is accessible by bridges from the mainland via French Island. Site open, lighthouse open only to paying guests. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Bruce Bay Cottages and Lighthouse Resort. ARLHS CAN-311; Notmar 1050.
West Sister Rock
1885 (relocated here in 1905). Active; focal plane 11.5 m (38 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (29 ft) hexagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. This lighthouse was originally built on North Sister Rock and was relocated in 1905. Located on a tiny island off the northeast coast of St. Joseph Island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-528; Notmar 1054.

McKay Island Light, October 2006
Creative Commons photo by C.W. Bash
Wilson Channel Range Front
1905. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); continuous red light visible only on the range line. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. This is a "downbound" (eastbound or southbound) range. C. W. Bash has a photo, and Schultheiss has a nice photo showing both towers. Located beyond the end of Range Lights Road on the north side of the channel east of the ON 548 bridge to St. Joseph Island. Land access blocked by private property. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-599; Notmar 1055.
Wilson Channel Range Rear
1905. Active; focal plane 35.5 m (117 ft); continuous red light. 9 m (29 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. C. W. Bash has a photo, and Schultheiss has a nice photo showing both towers. Located beyond the end of Range Lights Road on the north side of the channel east of the ON 548 bridge to St. Joseph Island. Land access blocked by private property. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-600; Notmar 1056.
Shoal Island
1890. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10.5 m (34 ft) square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery centered on the roof of 2-story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with red trim. Located on a small island just off the northwest coast of St. Joseph Island; visible from the end of B Line Road near Richards Landing; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-588; Notmar 1058.
Interior Central Ontario Lighthouses
Gravenhurst Narrows (Lighthouse Island) (3)
Date uncertain (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous red light. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof painted red. A good closeup photo is available, also a second photo. Located on an island on the west side of the Lighthouse Narrows at the entrance to Gravenhurst harbor, at the south end of Lake Muskoka. Google has a dark satellite view. Site status unknown. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-1031; Notmar 1378.
Rosseau (Lighthouse Shoal)
1890 (?). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with square lantern. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Located on a shoal just south of Rosseau at the northern end of Lake Rosseau. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-858; Notmar 1404.
* Cecebe Lake
late 1990s (replica of 1905 lighthouse). Inactive. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. A good photo is available. The original lighthouse was built on the Magnetawan River. The replica is built close to shore and can be viewed from hiking trails that start at the historical museum near the Cecebe Lake dam in Magnetawan. The town is about 100 km (60 mi) northeast of Parry Sound off ON 124 and 40 km (25 mi) west of Burks Falls on route 520. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown.
Southeast Bay (Range Front)
1877. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); sector light, showing white in the preferred direction, red or green to the sides, all lights occulting every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower. Lighthouse painted white with a red vertical stripe on the former range line. No current photo available. The range was discontinued in the 1990s and the front light was converted to a sector light. Located off the southeastern shore of Lake Nipissing west of Callander. Presumably visible from the shore along Lighthouse Road. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-829; Notmar 1424.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Big Tub Lighthouse
Big Tub Light, Tobermory, October 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo

Notable faux lighthouses:

  • Spanish Marina, once thought to be the historic Clapperton Island Light, is now reported to be of modern construction.

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Posted December 16, 2003. Checked and revised November 13, 2007. Lighthouses: 60. Site copyright 2007 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.