Cultural Landmarks of Hamilton-Wentworth

The Lighthouse

Location:  Burlington Bay Canal, Ontario

The first Hamilton Beach lighthouse was built in 1838. It was made of wood as were many other similar structures of the 1800's. Once the construction of the lighthouse was complete, a lighthouse keeper was hired to maintain the building. The lighthouse keeper worked in conjunction with the ferryman and both resided in homes near the Canal. The lighthouse's main structural flaw was the material it was made of which was wood. Due to the passing steamer ships, the wooden pier and lighthouse were susceptible to the random spray of embers. On several occasions, it was reported that the ferryman and lighthouse keeper had to rip off pieces of the pier and throw them into the Canal because they had caught on fire and threatened to destroy the entire pier.

On July 18, 1856, the steamship Ranger was passing through the Canal when sparks from the ship strayed and caused a major fire that destroyed the lighthouse, a ferry, a house, and a local log house that were all in the same vicinity. After the fire, a temporary lighthouse was built. It was eventually replaced by a more permanent structure in 1858.

John Brown, who had recently constructed the Six-Imperial Towers on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay was hired to build the permanent 1858 lighthouse. The lighthouse was situated on the south bank of the Canal. It was constructed out of white dolomite limestone that was several feet thick at certain points, and was five stories high. The Canal was identical to the one built on Christian Island, Georgian Bay, north-west of Midland.

Once the exterior of the lighthouse was completed, the interior spiral staircase was installed. Subsequently, the lantern room was added with the light. During this time period, whale oil was primarily used to fuel lights. However, John Brown decided to use coal oil instead. This switch began a new trend in preferred energy sources, which angered many whalers, since it threatened their livelihood. Nevertheless, the lighthouse was maintained without major repairs until 1958.

In 1958, a powerful storm swept through the region and the lighthouse that was thought to be invulnerable sustained water damage. Water had penetrated the lighthouse damaging its structure and lantern. A few months after the storm, timber planks were bedded in concrete to make the foundation of the lighthouse stronger so that it could withstand the exterior elements.

Keeping the lighthouse lamp burning was often a difficult task as a former lighthouse keeper, George Thompson wrote "I had much trouble in warming the coal oil in the pier and lighthouse. I [Thompson] wrapped the oil lamps all round with flannel and rope yarn. I was wearing mittens with the earflaps of the cap down. I kept the large lighthouse burning but the coal oil partially froze!"

The lighthouse served other purposes such as a place where officials could identify illegal fishermen. In fact, fishermen, Baldry and Waddell served time in jail for illegal fishing when they were spotted by a lighthouse observer.

In 1961, the lighthouse was replaced with a more modern beacon located at the end of the south Canal pier. The new lighthouse is 90 feet high and is powered by electricity. The beam of light can be seen approximately 15 miles from the Canal. The old stone lighthouse officially ceased operations in 1968, which marked the end of manned lighthouses at the Burlington Canal. The stone lighthouse was never torn down, because the cost for such a project proved to be too expensive. Fortunately, the dismantling cost saved the lighthouse for our posterity.

The lighthouses on the Burlington Canal have been a symbol of Hamilton Harbour's growth and development. Since the Canal was first opened to vessels over one hundred years ago, it has helped to develop the areas of Dundas and Hamilton and it remains a significant symbol of our history of industrialisation and development.

References:
Hamilton Beach Scrapbook. vol. 1 and 4.  Special Collections, HPL.