Grey-Bruce Adventours: Cabot Head Lightkeeping Opportunity!

Cabot Head Lightkeeping

By Sandra Howe for Nov/12 MOSAIC

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by lighthouses and by the Bruce Peninsula. I devoured stories of pioneers, explorers, mariners, and shipwrecks along our rugged coastlines. Two branches of my family tree arrived in Culross Township with the first wave of settlers. When the Queen’s Bush was opened, my ancestors arrived to create productive farms in this wilderness. They cleared timber, fished, hunted, travelled the bush trails and waterways. I imagine their lives as difficult, but satisfying. I am always curious to know more about them. As an “Assistant Lightkeeper” at Cabot Head Lightstation, I had many insightful glimpses into our regional human, and natural history. It was a great joy to me, and I look forward to another adventure there.

For a wonderful week in September this year, I had the pleasure of staying in the Historic Cabot Head Lightstation. It was built in 1896 as a navigational aid for the bustling trade by ship on the Great Lakes. The treacherous shores of Georgian Bay had already seen many shipwrecks, and this beacon was critical in safeguarding the waterways. Today the light is solar-powered, standing atop a steel tower. The original lightstation looks much as it did in 1896, and functions as a museum and observation tower. I spent many happy hours there watching sunrises, sunsets, storms, stars, and sailboats; the views are magnificent.

“Friends of Cabot Head” is a not-for-profit organization founded by concerned area citizens to restore, maintain, and manage this valuable heritage. With the full automation of the light, and the dismissal of the final lightkeeper in 1987, the lightstation buildings were considered surplus. From 1994 to 1996, the “Friends” undertook major restoration and renovation work using limited grant money, and volunteer labour and expertise. It was truly a labour of love!

The present facility includes the lightstation, lightkeepers’ cottage, gift shop, art gallery, walking trails, historic plaques, and picnic area. The lightstation and cottage got fresh coats of paint this year-the traditional white with red trim- and are looking truly “ship-shape”. All funds for maintenance and operations are generated through the “Assistant Lightkeeper Program”, gift shop and gallery sales, and visitor donations. The local community has been incredibly supportive, donating time, money, stories, and artifacts to maintain and share this historic treasure. I was so pleased to stay in the lightstation, and play a small part in keeping it open and accessible for all to enjoy.

The duties of a lightkeeper have changed dramatically over the years. From 1896 until electricity arrived at Cabot Head in 1964, the light required steady and labourious tending. “The Rules and Instructions for Lighthouse-Keepers”, published in 1905, stated that they were “required to be sober, industrious, and orderly in their families,”. Kerosene lamps were lit and kept at full brilliancy between sunset and sunrise, and in foggy or dark weather. The light was visible for 14 miles on a clear night. Lamps, wicks, reflectors, tower windows, clockwork mechanism, and foghorn plant all required daily maintenance. Many sailors lives depended on the efficient operation of the light.

Georgian Bay is full of moods, and has witnessed the demise of many vessels and people. Shipwrecks are strewn along the cliffs and boulders that surround Cabot Head. Many boats, past and present, have sought safe harbour in Wingfield Basin, but several lie there still. It is a place full of stories with both tragic and happy endings.

My story endings from Cabot Head are all happy. As “Assistant Lightkeeper”, my duties were light, and fun: sweep, dust, tidy to keep the museum and grounds orderly; greet visitors from around the world; help tend the gift shop and gallery. I walked the trails, read the histories, imagined and wrote of the lives lived at Cabot Head through the years. I enjoyed reclining under the old apple tree with books, and journals. It was like a quiet cottage week with a heritage flavour.

For a restful retreat into the colourful history of our region, I would highly recommend a lightkeeper stay. The facilities are rustic but comfortable. The scenery is spectacular. The visitors are excited and engaging. I love the way the threads of time connect us all to our past, and weave our present. For more information about “Friends of Cabot Head”, and how you can get involved see www.cabothead.ca