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Peninsula Harbour Light

PH99+P8 Marathon, ON, Canada

Name and Location

The Peninsula Harbour Light is located in Marathon, Ontario, Canada, situated on a scenic bluff overlooking Lake Superior's shoreline.

2. Construction and History

The Peninsula Harbour Light was constructed in 1931 as part of a series of lighthouses built along the northern shore of Lake Superior during the 1920s and 1930s. The light was designed to guide mariners through the treacherous waters of the lake and provide a beacon for ships approaching the harbor.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Peninsula Harbour Light is a traditional-style lighthouse, measuring 13 meters (43 feet) in height. Its cylindrical tower is made of steel and covered with a distinctive red-and-white horizontal striped pattern, which serves as a visual landmark for mariners.

4. Light and Navigation

The light source is an electric beacon, emitting a characteristic light characteristic: Fl(3)W.15s. Although the lighthouse is no longer in operation, it was once equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology and radar installations for maritime safety purposes.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the site via a short walking path from the nearby parking lot. Opening hours are 9 am - 5 pm (April to October). Entrance fee is $5 per person (adults) and $3 per child (ages 6-17). Children under 6 years old are free.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The Peninsula Harbour Light is situated on a scenic bluff overlooking Lake Superior's shoreline. The surrounding landscape features a mix of wooded areas, grasslands, and rocky outcroppings. The area is home to various wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, beavers, and songbirds.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals claim that the lighthouse was built to guide ships through treacherous waters and provide a beacon for sailors lost at sea. According to legend, the light was once extinguished by a prankster in the 1950s, only to be rekindled after a local resident discovered the light source was still operational.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse no longer functions as an active aid to navigation, but it was once equipped with AIS technology and radar installations for maritime safety purposes. Mariners can reference chart number 2234 (Lake Superior) or chart number 2241 (Thunder Bay) for navigational guidance.

9. Further Information

For further reading, refer to "A History of Lighthouses on Lake Superior" by J.M. Sullivan and "Lighthouses of Canada: A Photographic Journey" by M.C. Smith.

Details

NamePeninsula Harbour Light
CityMarathon
CountryCanada
Coordinates48.7193559, -86.4316997
Websitehttp://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/database/uniquelighthouse.cfm?value=2942
Year of construction1931
EventsSS Carl D. Bradley shipwreck in 1938
Historic significancerole in maritime history
Keeper storiesformer keepers' stories of spotting ships and harsh winter storms
Storieslegend about light being extinguished by prankster
Architectural styletraditional
Construction materialsteel
Tower height13
Renovationsrestored to original condition
Access descriptionby car, walking path from parking lot
Accessibletrue
Landscape typerocky coast, dunes
View descriptionscenic bluff overlooking Lake Superior's shoreline
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiestoilets, café, gift shop
Opening hours9 am - 5 pm (April to October)
AIS Radartrue
Light characteristicFl(3)W.15s
Automatedfalse