Name and Location

The Point Abino Lighthouse is located at 1550 Point Abino Road South, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, situated on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Construction and History

The Point Abino Lighthouse was constructed in 1847 by the Imperial Government of the United Kingdom as part of a series of beacons established along the Great Lakes to guide mariners through treacherous waters. The original structure stood at 45 feet (13.7 meters) tall, with a focal plane height of 30 feet (9.1 meters). In 1895, the lighthouse was renovated and its height increased to 55 feet (16.8 meters).

Architecture and Materials

The Point Abino Lighthouse is an example of a traditional lighthouse design, characterized by a square tower with a pyramidal roof and a lantern room at the top. The structure is built from local limestone and features a distinctive red-and-white striped pattern.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse was automated in 1985, replacing its original Fresnel lens with a modern LED beacon. The structure no longer requires manual operation to function.

Accessibility and Visiting

Today, the Point Abino Lighthouse serves as a museum and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the lighthouse's keeper's quarters, which have been converted into exhibit spaces featuring exhibits on the maritime history of the area. The lighthouse itself is no longer operational, but its historic significance has earned it recognition as a heritage site.

Notable Views and Landscape

From its vantage point on Lake Ontario's shoreline, the Point Abino Lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy this scenic vista from the lighthouse's observation deck or through exhibits within the keeper's quarters.

Anecdotes and Folklore

None available.

Technical and Operational Details

The Point Abino Lighthouse is listed as a heritage site by the Government of Ontario and the Town of Fort Erie. It was automated in 1985, replacing its original Fresnel lens with a modern LED beacon. The structure no longer requires manual operation to function.

Further Information

The lighthouse has been featured in various publications, including "Lighthouses of Ontario" by the Ontario Tourism Ministry and "Great Lakes Maritime History" by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.