Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Rimouski Quebec Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°31′03″N 68°28′07″W / 48.51750°N 68.46861°W |
| Year first constructed | 1859 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1909 (current) |
| Deactivated | 1975 |
| Construction | concrete tower |
| Tower shape | sixteen-sided cylinder with eight buttresses tower |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern and balcony |
| Height | 108 feet (33 m) |
| Original lens | Third order Fresnel |
The Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse is a famous landmark in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada. It was built in 1909 and is known for its unique design. This area was once a very important spot for ships navigating the St. Lawrence River. The town of Pointe-au-Père, where the lighthouse stands, became part of the larger city of Rimouski in 2002.
Contents
A History of Lights
The lighthouse you see today is actually the third one built on this site. The first lighthouse was a wooden tower. It was built in 1859 to help guide boats safely through the tricky waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The First Two Lighthouses
The very first lighthouse was made of wood and had eight sides. It cost about $1,450 to build. The Canadian government bought it in 1861. Sadly, this first lighthouse burned down in a fire on April 13, 1867.
A new lighthouse was quickly built in the same year to replace it. This second lighthouse was used as a home and office for the lighthouse keeper. It stayed on the site until it was taken down in 1966.
The Current Lighthouse
The third and current lighthouse was finished in 1909. It stands 108 feet (33 m) tall, making it the second tallest lighthouse in all of Canada. It has a special design with a slender central part supported by eight strong concrete structures called buttresses.
In 1977, the lighthouse became the responsibility of Parks Canada. They made improvements in 1979 to help keep it in good condition.
What You Can See Today
The Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse stopped guiding ships in 1975. A smaller, automated tower took over its job until 1997. Today, the lighthouse and its surroundings are open for visitors. It is part of the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père, which is a maritime history site.
When you visit, you can learn about the tragic RMS Empress of Ireland shipwreck. This ship sank off the coast of Pointe-au-Père in 1914. There is a museum nearby that tells its story. You can also explore HMCS Onondaga (S73), which was the first submarine in Canada open for people to visit.
The entire site was named a National Historic Site in 1974. This means it is a very important place in Canadian history. A non-profit group helps manage the visitor services at this historic site.
Lighthouse Keepers
For many years, dedicated people lived and worked at the lighthouse. They were called lighthouse keepers. Their job was to make sure the light was always shining to guide ships safely. Here are some of the people who served as keepers at Pointe-au-Père:
- David Lawson (1859-1876)
- John McWilliams (1876-1893)
- John McWilliams (1893-1911)
- John Cahill (1912-1920)
- Thomas Matthew Wyatt (1920-1936)
- Charles Augustus Lavoie (1936-1964)
- Roger St. Pierre Lavoie (1964-1972)
- Armand Lafrance (1972-?)
See also
In Spanish: Faro de Pointe-au-Père para niños
- List of lighthouses in Canada
- Henri de Miffonis
