Point Clark Lighthouse

The Point Clark Lighthouse was constructed between 1855 and 1859 under the instructions of the Board of Works, Canada West.

History

• The location for the lighthouse was selected to warn sailors of the shoals (sandbars) 2 miles off the Lake Huron coast.
• The Point Clark Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses on the Great Lakes to be made primarily from stone.

Architecture

The Point Clark Lighthouse is an Imperial Tower, a group of six nearly identical towers built by contractor John Brown for the Province of Canada on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

• The tower's design was reportedly intended to assure at least some funding from the British Empire's Board of Trade.
• The lighthouse stands 34 meters tall, with its focal height reaching approximately 53 meters above sea level.

Light Characteristics

The Point Clark Lighthouse is an automated light, emitting a characteristic pattern and range that warns sailors of the nearby shoals.

• The exact characteristics are not specified in available information.

Current Status

The lighthouse remains operational as an automated light.

• A restoration project exceeding $2.3 million began in 2011, with the facility reopening for tourism in June 2015.
• Visitors can tour the lightkeeper's home and the lighthouse from mid-June to Labour Day for a fee.

Location

The Point Clark Lighthouse is located on Lighthouse Road in Huron-Kinloss, Ontario, near a point that protrudes into Lake Huron.

• The location can be easily reached by bicycle or vehicle.

Heritage Status

The Point Clark Tower was formally registered as one of the National Historic Sites of Canada, the only lighthouse on the Great Lakes or Georgian Bay to receive this designation.

• It has also been designated under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
• The keeper's cottage is a designated place of historic interest and has been listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places since 2008.

Notable Historical Events

The Point Clark Lighthouse was built during a period of significant maritime activity in Lake Huron, with many ships passing through the area.

• Its construction helped to improve safety for sailors navigating the region's treacherous shoals.

Emphasis on Important Terms:

The Board of Works, Canada West, and the British Empire's Board of Trade played significant roles in the lighthouse's construction and operation.