Lighthouses in the Canadian
Province of Ontario
Ontario
has a number of lighthouses both on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
Although we live only about 30 miles from the river and our summer
home is on Lake Ontario, we have never focused on seeing these
lights.
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Lake Ontario Lighthouses |
Windmill Point Light
The Windmill Point Light is located in Prescott
Ontario, just across the St. Lawrence from Ogdensburg NY. It
is a 60-foot tall stone tower. Originally, it was built in
the 1820's as a windmill and provided power for a mill for many
years. It was a temporary military post in 1838 and then in
1872, it was converted into a lighthouse that remained in service
until 1978. Today, it is a National Historic Site.
According to a sign on the door, the facility is open from 10
until 4, Thursday through Monday. We were there on a
Tuesday. Distance views of this light can be had from
Ogdensburg on the American side of the St. Lawrence River.
Some of these shots were taken from there.
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Prescott Harbor Inner Light |
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Prescott Harbor is served by two lighthouses.
The inner light is a 40-foot, white wooden tower with a red roof
that houses a visitors' center. It is also known as the Prescott Rotary Light and as the Prescott
Visitors' Center. It was built in 1989 by the Rotary Club of
Prescott in memory of former member G. Judson Newell during their
50th anniversary. This tower is normally open to the public
and can be climbed. Unfortunately, the day we were there,
two workers were renovating the visitors' center and it was
closed. This light is easy to find. Take Exit 716 from
Route 401 and head into downtown Prescott. When you reach
the river, take a left. You will almost immediately see the
light on your right.
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Prescott Harbor Outer Light |
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The other lighthouse in Prescott Harbor is the
outer light. This is a 20-foot, white wooden tower
with a green roof and is also known as the Prescott Breakwater
Light. It marks the end of the breakwater at Prescott Harbor
and still serves as an aid to navigation. It is not open to the public, but very good views of
it can be had from anywhere in the marina at the harbor.
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