LIGHTHOUSE  TOURS

  As a former full time lighthouse keeper who better to guide you on a Lighthouse tour? You will get firsthand stories about day to day life as a lightkeeper and be able to relive through guided tours of old sites the legends of the lights that only a former keeper can relate.

  With enough notice perhaps you would like to stay at a lightstation as a lighthouse keeper? We can make the arrangements if you would like to book this tour. Call or E-mail for details.

 Perhaps a jungle hammock tour on a remote lightstation? This is the station that I grew up on so can show you and tell you the history and legends and things that have been long forgotten while you sit by a campfire on the beach. This tour includes beachcombing, camping scuba diving, snorkeling, painting or photo or just relaxing if you wish. Call or E-mail for details on this adventure.

  We have trips to lightstations on Cove Island, Cabot Head, Great Duck Island, Meldrum Bay, Michipicotin Island, Davieux Island, Lonely Island, and Flowerpot Island. Many of these Lightstations were the ones that I was the lighthouse keeper on so can give you a first hand experience of the day to day life that occurred on these historic sites. You can experience day hike or overnight or longer tours of many of these lightstations. Call or E-mail to arrange a custom trip.

Flowerpot Island Lighthouse

The original lighthouse on Castle Bluff on Flowerpot Island, built of hand-hewn timbers, stood so high its rays could be seen from its tall imperial lighthouse relatives along the shoreline.

The lighthouse was built on the north-easterly point of the island in 1897, during the heyday of the Great Lakes shipping industry. A square wooden tower, it stood 88' above the water and was first tended by Donald Smith, paid $300 a season for his duties as lightkeeper. A season ran from April till December. This lightstation retained a lightkeeper for 90 years.

In 1901, a two-storey lightkeeper's dwelling was built. In 1959, a one-storey dwelling was built. Before its construction, the assistant lightkeeper made his quarters at the lighthouse.
 

In 1909, a fog building and fog alarm were constructed at the cliff site, replacing the less-effective bells and hand-horns. Today's observation deck is the site of the original fog building.

The boathouse and workshop were added to the light station in 1963.

A severe winter storm destroyed the concrete dock in 1987, the remains of which can still be seen underwater from the cobble beach in front of the keepers' homes.

Saving the lighthouse

In 1969, the lighthouse building was pushed from the cliff and replaced with a steel tower, still a functioning beacon at the site. Concerned about the deteriorated condition of the lightstation, the Friends of Fathom Five and the Canadian Coast Guard came to an agreement in 1995, handing over to the Friends lightstation maintenance and restoration, which began in 1996.

General clean-up, repainting, roof re-shingling, garden and lawn care, trail improvements, signage and a composting toilet have all been the projects of dedicated volunteers.

A lightstation host program, begun in 1998, offers Friends of Fathom Five volunteers the unique experience of lightkeeping by living for several days at the lightstation and performing the lightkeeper's duties. They also offer tours and special events for the station's visitors, over 10,000 per year. A Junior Lightkeeper's Program runs several times during the week in July and August.

The century-old lightkeeper's house is open for tours, cold drinks and souvenirs.

The Flowerpot Lightstation Anniversary is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in July.

The Flowerpot Lightstation is accessible only by boat from mainland Tobermory. Tour boats leave from Little Tub Harbour and there is a Parks Canada users fee on the island