Cape North Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°24′07.6″N 75°37′25.8″W / 45.402111°N 75.623833°W |
| Year first constructed | 1856 |
| Construction | cast iron plates |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | red and white checkerboard tower, red lantern |
| Height | 29 metres (95 ft) |
| Original lens | Fresnel lens |
The Cape North Lighthouse is a tall, round lighthouse with a cool red and white checkerboard pattern. It first stood at Money Point, near Cape North on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, from 1908 to 1980. Even though it was first built in Newfoundland at Cape Race, it's usually called the Cape North Lighthouse. Today, you can find it far from the ocean at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse: A Look Back
How It Was First Built
This 29-meter (about 95-foot) tall lighthouse was first put up in 1856. The British government's Trinity House, which was in charge of lighthouses in British waters, built it in Newfoundland at Cape Race. The lighthouse is made from 32 strong cast-iron plates, all bolted together. This special design, made of separate parts, made it cheaper and easier to build lighthouses. It also helped build them in faraway places using local workers.
Moving to Nova Scotia
Later, a bigger lighthouse was built at Cape Race. So, the old tower was taken apart and moved by ship. It was then put back together at Cape North, Nova Scotia. It got a brand new Fresnel lens, which is a special type of lens that makes the light very bright. This lens was made by Chance Brothers in England.
How the Light Worked
The lens used to float in a pool of mercury and was turned by a clockwork machine. Later, it was changed to run on electricity. The lighthouse has a red checkerboard pattern. This design was chosen to help ships see the lighthouse better, especially in thick fog or against a snowy background.
The Lighthouse's New Home in Ottawa
Moving to the Museum
In 1980, the Cape North Lighthouse was going to be replaced with newer technology. The Canadian Coast Guard gave it to the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The lighthouse was moved all the way from Cape North, Nova Scotia, to Ottawa, Ontario. It was set up in the museum's Technology Park between 1980 and 1981. Even though it was made of parts, moving the lighthouse was a huge job!
A Symbol of History
Since then, the lighthouse has become a famous symbol of Canada's history with the sea. The museum even offers tours inside the lighthouse during the summer.
A Small Challenge
On July 3, 2010, a small earthquake happened. This caused a tiny spill of mercury inside the lighthouse. It had to close for a short time for cleanup. But it soon reopened to the public and is safe to visit.
