Point Clark Lighthouse

The Point Clark Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on the shores of Lake Huron, in the town of Huron-Kinloss, Ontario, Canada.

History

• Built between 1855 and 1859 under the instructions of the Board of Works, Canada West, the Point Clark Lighthouse was one of the few lighthouses on the Great Lakes to be made primarily from stone.
• It is part of the Imperial Towers, a group of six nearly identical towers built by contractor John Brown for the "Province of Canada" (Canadian government) on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, all completed by 1859.
• The location for the Point Clark lighthouse was selected to warn sailors of the shoals (sandbars) 2 miles off the Lake Huron coast.

Architecture

The tower is constructed from stone and stands at a height of 34 meters above sea level.

The focal height, which is the distance from the base of the lens to the center of the light, is approximately 30 meters.

The lighthouse features an Imperial Tower design, characteristic of the six towers built by John Brown for the "Province of Canada".

Light Characteristics

The Point Clark Lighthouse emits a fixed white light with a range of approximately 20 nautical miles (37 km).

The light pattern is not specified in available information.

Current Status

The lighthouse is still functioning as an automated light.

A restoration project that exceeded $2.3 million started in 2011 and the facility reopened for tourism in June 2015.

Location and Accessibility

The Point Clark Lighthouse can be easily reached by bicycle or a vehicle, making it accessible to visitors.

The original wooden storage building and keeper's house are now part of the Township of Huron-Kinloss museum.

Visitors can tour the lightkeeper's home and the lighthouse from mid-June to Labour Day for a fee.

Heritage Status

The Point Clark Lighthouse 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 highest-level 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 has played an important role in maritime history, serving as a vital aid to navigation for sailors on Lake Huron.

Its designation as a National Historic Site of Canada recognizes its significance in Canadian history and heritage.