Chantry Island Lightstation Tower

Chantry Island Lightstation Tower is a stone lighthouse located on an island near Saugeen Shores with distinctive architectural details. The structure features a twelve-sided lantern top and uses a large Fresnel lens optical system to produce light signals for navigation.

Construction took place between 1855 and 1859, directed by John Brown, to guide ships through treacherous underwater granite rocks in Lake Huron. This lighthouse represented part of a wider effort to improve navigation safety on one of the region's busiest shipping routes.

The lighthouse was shaped by the family of its first keeper, who established a significant maritime collection here that reflected local connections to the water. Visitors today can still sense this personal history embedded in the place.

Visits are only possible during certain months because the island is a protected bird sanctuary and tours are organized by the Marine Heritage Society. Plan extra time for the visit, as access is limited by the nature reserve status and depends on guided tour scheduling.

The tower belongs to a group of six Imperial Towers built with cut limestone and granite instead of brick on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. This construction method set these lighthouses apart from other similar structures built during the same period in North America.

Location: Saugeen Shores

Inception: 1859

Made from material: stone

GPS coordinates: 44.48938,-81.40171

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:25