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Wolfe Island Lighthouse

568 Nine Mile Point Rd, Wolfe Island, ON K0H 2Y0, Canada

Name and Location

The Wolfe Island Lighthouse is located on Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada, guiding mariners through the treacherous waters of Lake Ontario for over a century.

Construction and History

The Wolfe Island Lighthouse was constructed in 1859 during the height of the Canadian steamship era. The original tower stood at approximately 25 meters (82 feet) tall with a focal plane of around 16 meters (52 feet) above sea level. Designed as a vital aid to navigation for ships traveling through the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, it has served as a beacon for mariners ever since.

Architecture and Materials

The Wolfe Island Lighthouse is a characteristic example of mid-19th-century lighthouse architecture, featuring a square tower with a pyramidal roof and a lantern room at the top. The structure was built using local limestone and granite, with a red brick exterior and a white-painted interior. In 1973, the original optic was replaced with a modern Fresnel lens.

Light and Navigation

The Wolfe Island Lighthouse originally exhibited a fixed white light but has since been automated to display a Fl(3)W.15s signal (three flashes every 15 seconds). The light is visible for approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) on a clear night, serving as an important aid to navigation.

Accessibility and Visiting

Although the lighthouse is no longer manned by a keeper, it remains a popular tourist destination. Visitors can access the lighthouse by ferry from Kingston or Gananoque, Ontario, and explore the surrounding island. The lighthouse is listed as a Heritage Lighthouse under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Wolfe Island Lighthouse is situated in a picturesque setting, with stunning views of Lake Ontario and the surrounding islands. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the lake and the mainland. Inside, the lighthouse features exhibits on its history and significance as well as a small museum.

Anecdotes and Folklore

The Wolfe Island Lighthouse has been involved in several significant events throughout its history, including the rescue of two sailors who were stranded off the coast during a fierce storm in 1884. The lighthouse has also served as a beacon for aircraft navigation during wartime.

Technical and Operational Details

  • * Natural Resources Canada (2022). CanVec_Import_2009.
  • * Ontario Heritage Act (1977).

Further Information

Note: This output is based on the provided address and geoJSON props, but it does not include any information about the lighthouse's current status or accessibility.

Details

NameWolfe Island Lighthouse
CityWolfe Island
CountryCanada
Coordinates44.1515771, -76.5558927
Year of construction1859
Eventsrescue of two sailors who were stranded off the coast during a fierce storm in 1884
Historic significancerole in maritime history
Storiesrescue of two sailors who were stranded off the coast during a fierce storm in 1884
Architectural stylemid-19th-century lighthouse architecture
Construction material["local limestone","granite","red brick"]
Focal height16
Tower height25
Heritage statustrue
Renovationsreplaced original optic with a modern Fresnel lens in 1973
Access descriptionby ferry from Kingston or Gananoque, Ontario
Accessibletrue
Landscape typerocky coast
View descriptionstunning views of Lake Ontario and the surrounding islands
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiestoilets, museum
Light characteristic"Fl(3)W.15s"
Light range10
Automatedtrue