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 lighthouse located near Rimouski, Quebec, Canada. It was built in 1909. This area was very important for ships sailing on the St. Lawrence River. It was where ship pilots would guide large vessels safely. Today, Pointe-au-Père is part of the bigger city of Rimouski.
This lighthouse stands 108 feet (33 m) tall. This makes it the second tallest lighthouse in eastern Canada. It has a special design: a thin central tower supported by eight strong concrete buttresses.
In 1975, the lighthouse was replaced by a modern electronic system. Now, the old lighthouse is a popular place for visitors. It's part of the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père, which is a maritime history site. At the site, you can learn about the RMS Empress of Ireland shipwreck. You can also explore HMCS Onondaga (S73), which was the first submarine in Canada open to the public.
The Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse was named a National Historic Site in 1974. This means it's a very important historical place in Canada. Even though it's a national site, a non-profit group called the Point-au-Père Maritime Historic Site helps manage it for visitors.
Lighthouse Keepers
A lighthouse keeper was a person who lived at the lighthouse and made sure its light was always working. Here are some of the people who kept the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse running:
- 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
- List of lighthouses in Canada
- Henri de Miffonis
