What started as a dream is now a reality along the Bruce Coast. There is a Lighthouse fever in this rural area of Ontario that began in earnest in the 1990’s with volunteer effort alone. Now there are completed and ongoing restorations with huge volunteer support. Tremendous progress has been made and Lighthouses not only saved, but thriving and open to the public for tours.

Let’s begin with the why? The Bruce Coast consists of some of the most dangerous waters anywhere (wreck of the Erie Stewart in Southampton shown). Rocks, violent storms and currents threw ships to their deaths in the 1800s and do up to today. Not tens, not hundreds, but thousands of shipwrecks line the deep, cold bottoms of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The commercial giants of the time, the British Government and later the fledgling Canadian Government knew that they had to do something.

They started to construct a network of Lighthouses and harbours to protect the raw materials coming out of the resource rich Bruce and the workers and farmers seeking to settle in the area. Since the Bruce Peninsula serves as an eastern guardian to  upper Lake Huron and the riches further west, much care had to be taken to protect the commerce moving to distant shores

One of the first major projects was to construct a network of grand Imperial Towers that consisted of major lights at Point Clark in the south, Chantry Island (shown left), Cove Island at the tip of the Bruce and then Griffith Island, Nottawasaga and Christian Island in Georgian Bay. Originally designed to include 11 such behemoths, the final total was six. These Lights have become famous for the size and majesty. They loom up to 100 feet tall with walls 7 ½ feet thick topped by beautiful Fresnel Lens technology from France. They were built by the then and now famous stone mason John Brown and have become the symbol for Great Lakes Canada.

Since Georgian Bay was so dangerous it became dotted with other interesting and beautiful lights at Cabot Heat, Flowerpot and Cape Croker. Moving forward, harbours were formed at river mouths and sheltered spots around the Bruce. These required lights also and beautiful smaller Lighthouses emerged. They would be major in any other area. They attract tourists and artists from far and wide.

Lions Head has a beautiful range light that was rebuilt totally by the community and local shop teacher and students. Southampton in addition to its beautiful Imperial Tower on Chantry Island has three large Range Lights that all have been restored and are the object of many visitors. They were part of the famous ‘Harbour of Refuge’ built to contain the sailing ships of the past in storms and to serve as an outlet for timber and raw materials.

In Kincardine which became a major harbour in the 1860s, the unique Kincardine Lighthouse (shown left) is downtown and across from the famous Paddy Walker House. It was completed in 1874. Both the Walker House and the Lighthouse serve as museums which chronicle the past maritime history of the area.

n the deep harbour of the tip of the Bruce at Tobermory, we have the enchanting green light of Cove Island (Left) five miles distant on the horizon housed in an Imperial Tower and also the Big Tub Light which is a larger version of the Range Lights that dot the area. Off the coast from Tobermory is the geologically important and dangerous waters of Flowerpot Island with the Light Station that serves as a major tourist attraction in the summer months operated by a large group of volunteers.

So we know why the lights were put in dangerous waters for protection, but why do we cherish them and how did this movement to save them begin and sustain itself? This is the most interesting story.

Using Chantry Island and the three Range Lights of Southampton as an example, we can use that as a bright mirror shining on the other equally amazing examples of the Bruce. (McNabb Point shown)

In 1997, the Town Council of Southampton hired professor David Douglas of the University of Guelph for $15,000 to hold a series of twice weekly meetings in the months of July and August. The purpose was to reflect upon the community and try to form an idea of what we want to be in 10 years. That is, what do we like in the community and what would we like to preserve and improve?

Light many of these forums, the meetings began with a murky focus. People aired their ‘beefs’ about garbage pickups, stop signs and Town services, but then Professor Douglas performed a miracle. He had everyone write a postcard to someone as though it was 2007 and not 1997. The card had to contain what we had done in the past 10 years. Our thoughts had to be focused and meaningful. Three projects emerged. They were:

Now in 2009 all these projects have been a success. Why did the community include Chantry Island and its Lighthouse? They did it because it is the most powerful icon a community could have and it is important to every man, woman and child in the area and beyond. Situated on an island that is an international bird sanctuary, it is the perfect spot to focus cameras, the artist’s creativity, children’s dreams and the photographic lens. It seems just within reach, but distant enough to call attention to the huge waves that sometimes break upon the shore.

So what did the community do? They started with a small group of volunteers that totaled less than 10 and they began. Yes, they started. Of course they did some studies about feasibility, but the most important thing is that they got started with a vengeance. They did not ask for government money for fear of opposition from those promoting needs for health care and charitable projects of great importance. They raised the money needed by themselves, milled the timber from trees from the area donated by a team member. They obtained an abandoned boat and used it first as a work boat and later as a tour boat. That’s right from abandonment to a thriving tour business replete with gift shop. A real volunteer success story emerged that was duplicated and copied up and down the Bruce.

A time scale was set and met and from 1997 to August 11^th, 2001 work progressed with manic intent. The opening took place on time and on budget. Government agencies were at first skeptical and then smiles began to appear on their faces and the approvals were obtained at a pace that kept up with the work. The volunteers felt that nobody could turn down good work accomplished. That is, there it is, could you please approve it? Sure, where do we sign? They had to invent approval forms. The cooperation of the community built like a tidal wave and the volunteers increase so that more than 250 now support the ongoing operation. House signs that show the Lighthouse icon on every street and most businesses use the icon someplace.

A Bruce Coast Lighthouse Partners Group was formed and continues today with tours going up and down the Bruce in a coordinated manner. In 2006 the International Lighthouse Conference was hosted in Southampton at the new Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre attracting Lighthouse people from throughout the world.

Last year Cove Island celebrated its 150^th birthday and this year the Bruce Coast Lighthouse Partners have designated 2009 as ‘The Year of the Light’ since some of the other Imperial Towers first lit their Beacons of Hope in 1859. To learn more and take a cyber tour of the Bruce Coast Lighthouses, please refer to www.brucecoastlighthouses.com which is a magnificent place to begin the adventure. We are very proud of what has been done. Also, consult the web site of the magnificent Bruce County Museum which has an extensive Marine Gallery and beautiful Fresnel Lens that is devoted to the Year of the Light in 2009. See www.brucemuseum.ca A big celebration is planned from July 3^rd to July 5^th in Southampton.