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
Name | Peninsula Harbour Light |
---|---|
City | Marathon |
Country | Canada |
Coordinates | 48.7193559, -86.4316997 |
Website | http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/database/uniquelighthouse.cfm?value=2942 |
Year of construction | 1931 |
Events | SS Carl D. Bradley shipwreck in 1938 |
Historic significance | role in maritime history |
Keeper stories | former keepers' stories of spotting ships and harsh winter storms |
Stories | legend about light being extinguished by prankster |
Architectural style | traditional |
Construction material | steel |
Tower height | 13 |
Renovations | restored to original condition |
Access description | by car, walking path from parking lot |
Accessible | true |
Landscape type | rocky coast, dunes |
View description | scenic bluff overlooking Lake Superior's shoreline |
Guided tours | true |
Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
Opening hours | 9 am - 5 pm (April to October) |
AIS Radar | true |
Light characteristic | Fl(3)W.15s |
Automated | false |