Point Clark Lighthouse
Exciting things are happening at the Point Clark Lighthouse Museum and we need your help! Learn more
The Point Clark Lighthouse is located at 529 Lighthouse Road. It is a National Historic Site, owned by Parks
Canada. The Township of Huron-Kinloss operates the Point Clark Lighthouse as a museum and tourism information centre during the summer months.
The Lighthouse and Museum is OPEN for the 2023 season!
DAILY TOURS ARE AVAILABLE JUNE 30 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 4 10 am - 4:30 pm AND ONLINE BOOKING IS ENCOURAGED:
https://secretsofthebackforty.com/point-clark-lighthouse/
Know BEFORE you go!
How long is the tour?
Depends how fast you can climb! The trip up the Lighthouse is 7 floors and 114 steps. It generally takes about 20-30 minutes in total to climb up, enjoy the view and climb down.
What if I can't climb the stairs?
Your health and safety is our top priority at all times, at any time during the tour you feel like you need a break, we will stop for you to rest, or return to the base of the tower. If you decide not to go up the Lighthouse tower, there are beautiful views on the ground level and a newly renovated Museum to enjoy.
What else do I need to know?
Please wear closed toe shoes (no flip flops or sandals!), comfortable clothing and no big purses or bags as you need to keep your hands free. An average level of fitness and general health is required and the tour is not recommended for those with lung or heart conditions, those who are pregnant and children under the age of 4. Photography is encouraged and you are welcome to share on social media and tag us! @huronkinlosstourism #backfortymoments
Take a look below for a spectacular view of Lake Huron from the top of the Point Clark Lighthouse! Be sure to return here at night to see one of our famous sunsets! A new photo is uploaded from the webcam every couple of minutes.
Camera provided by Hurontel.
| History |
|
The Point Clark Lighthouse is a National Historic Site and was one of the first ‘imperial towers’ to flash its light. Six of these majestic towers were built by John Brown on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in the 1850s. Built of limestone from nearby Inverhuron, the Point Clark Lighthouse stands 26.5 metres (80 feet) high, featuring 114 steps to get to the top. The stone tower is topped by a 12-sided lantern framed in cast iron, with a domed roof. A bronze lion head at each angle of the eaves directs rainwater away from the tower. The light stands 87 feet from the base of the tower. The Lighthouse was acquired by Parks Canada in 1967 to commemorate the vital role of lighthouses in navigation on the Great Lakes. The lightkeeper’s dwelling, built at the same time as the Lighthouse, is now operated as a museum by the Township of Huron-Kinloss. In 2009, The Point Clark Lighthouse was honoured to be one of six lighthouses chosen from across Canada to decorate a postage stamp. |
| Tower Restoration (2010-2015) |
|
In 2010 the lighthouse was closed for restoration due to excessive spalling (pieces of stones falling off the Tower). Parks Canada engineers completed an assessment and indicated that the tower whitewash should be removed, stones replaced, and mortar re-pointed. When work began in 2011, the damage to the stones was far worse than originally anticipated. In 2012, Parks Canada completed an in-depth analysis and assessed each stone and mortar joint and mapped each one as well. The result of the assessment was that over four hundred stones were replaced (over 1400 stones in the tower). The project was completed in June of 2015. See our video about the restoration and photo gallery below! Restoration VideoPhoto GalleryPhoto Gallery: Point Clark Lighthouse Tower Restoration 2010-2015 will appear here on the public site.
|
| Lightkeeper's House Museum and Guided Tours and New Virtual Tours |
|
The Point Clark Lighthouse and Museum will re-open on June 30, 2023. Check back for more updates. In the meantime, please enjoy a virtual tour of the Point Clark Lighthouse! Available in English and French. |