Point Prim Light Station, Heritage lighthouse in Belfast, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Point Prim Light Station is a white cylindrical brick tower standing 18.5 meters tall, topped with a balcony and lantern room that once held the light mechanism. The structure marks the entrance to Charlottetown Harbour and demonstrates the solid masonry construction typical of coastal navigation aids built in the 1800s.
The lighthouse entered service in 1845 after shipowners requested a navigational beacon at the harbour entrance where ships often struggled in poor visibility. Operation continued with resident keepers for over 120 years until automated systems replaced the need for full-time staff in 1969.
The lighthouse represents how shipping shaped life in this area, with the beacon guiding boats through a crucial harbour entrance for generations. Walking around the site gives you a sense of why maritime navigation was so central to the community's survival and trade.
The site opens to visitors in late June and closes in early September, making summer the best time to explore the location when weather is typically pleasant. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground around the lighthouse can be uneven, and climbing the interior stairs requires good footing and a steady pace.
This is one of only two circular brick lighthouses in all of Canada, with the other being Fisgard Lighthouse in British Columbia. This rare design choice makes it a notable survivor of a specific building approach that was not commonly repeated elsewhere.
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