An Island of Lighthouses
…or should I say without lighthouses because that could be a very real possibility after May 31st. This deadline is the day the federal government will stop maintaining the majority of the lighthouses that currently surround our coast. We were reminded again this week that communities must step up to support the maintenance if we wish for these buildings to remain standing. Some very prominent and iconic lighthouses are on the demolition chopping block.
The Lighthouse map issued by the Prince Edward Island Lighthouse Society has 63 listed in total making it the highest concentration of lighthouses in any province or state in North America. 21 are already decommissioned, 13 are listed as private and only 3 not accessible by car. 9 are opened to the public.
Today’s Image – St. Peter’s Harbour Lighthouse
With upwards of 60 lighthouses and ranges around our small coastline – not all of them are still in great shape. Particularly the one just west of Greenwich. It has for sure seen better days. Nested in the dunes, this lighthouse is accessible by an unpaved road or a long walk on the beach.
Cape Tryon Lighthouse
Built in 1905, the lighthouse lives along the highest cliffs on the island but completely surrounded by private property. This land is part of the L.M. Montgomery Land Trust. Tryon is easily one of the favorites among visitors and photographers.
Wood Islands Lighthouse
If you arrive or depart from Nova Scotia via the Ferry, this is one of the 3 lighthouses/ranges you’ll be greeted with at the terminals. Built in 1876.
New London Lighthouse
Built in 1876, this lighthouse is located at the beach entrance from French River and the opening of New London Bay. Across the bay is a view of the Cavendish sand dunes. This lighthouse is currently one of the few nominated for the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
Seacow Head Lighthouse
Built in 1864 and one of the oldest wood frame towers standing in the Maritimes, this lighthouse overlooks the Confederation Bridge from a distance. (just barely visible at this resolution)
Cape Bear Lighthouse
Built in 1881 and tucked away in the trees, this building hugs very closely to the cliffs edge.
Covehead Harbour Lighthouse
Built in 1967, this is one of the easiest lighthouses to find and possibly the most visited due to it’s location inside the National Park. It might as well be considered part of the Gulf Shore Parkway Drive.
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I don’t understand it! These are cultural icons, historical records…tourists pay to see this kind of thing! PEI will be poorer if these historical artifacts are lost. I haven’t checked your hyperlinks yet, but is there a place for ‘outsiders’ to make a comment in support of preserving them (either for federal dollars or in support of municipalities wondering why they should bother)?
Good question and I don’t know. It’s also not clear to me which buildings are actually in danger as many are privately owned, part of the national park, or an operating Inn. The CBC articles mentions more then 40 will be decommissioned but it does not provide a list.
[...] Ice breaking away into the North (Yorke) River at the west end of Victoria Park and the start of the community of Brighton. In the distance is the range light that shines directly out to the entrance of the Charlottetown Harbour. Charlottetown City Councillor Rob Lantz wrote a blog post earlier this week titled “Saving the Brighton Beach Range Light” which relates to the post I made yesterday. [...]
Your pictures are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them.
I have listed a comlpete summary of the status of the 63 lighthouses and rangelights on PEI in the latest issue of The Guiding Light which is the newsletter for the Prince Edward Island Lighthouse Society. Membership is $35.00 annually Members get two issues of the newsletter annually as well as a 50% reduction in admission fees for two people for card carrying members who visit the nine lighthouses open in the summer. Most important of all, the funds help to aid in the efforts to preserve these historic beacons for future generations. The Lighthouses have looked after us for many years; now it is our turn to look after them.
What a shame! I was out in PEI for the first time and was amazed by the lighthouses.
I’d like to share this one with you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgomes/6112689175/in/set-72157627592034384
Thanks for sharing. Victoria is a great location.
I envy you, for the rest of your life you can drive around the island taking pictures of lighthouses :-)
The next best thing to mountains?
[...] this blog could easily turn into a save the lighthouse campaign. Last week I made a post about the upcoming deadline when several island lighthouses will be shut down. I followed that up with a post about Saving of [...]