Henry Island, Forested island in Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Nova Scotia, Canada
Henry Island is a forested island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence off Nova Scotia with steep western cliffs and shallow eastern beaches along the shoreline. The island covers about 150 acres and is marked by a prominent red and white lighthouse that stands above the water.
The island was originally known as Iles aux Jestico on maritime charts, reflecting historical ties to Inverness County. A lighthouse was built in 1854 and employed keepers for over a century to guide ships safely through the waters.
The lighthouse defines the island and reflects a long tradition of maritime work in this region. Families of keepers lived here for generations, ensuring the safety of ships passing through these waters.
The island is privately owned and occupied mainly during summer months when the family is in residence. Visitors should understand that the land is not open to the public and approach remains restricted.
The lighthouse was built with modern technology of its era and operated for decades with manual keepers tending the light. The structure was later automated, but its early 20th-century architecture remains and tells of a different age of maritime safety.
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