Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse, Lighthouse and military blockhouse in Amherstburg, Canada.
Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse stand side by side at the southern end of the island, overlooking the shipping channel of the Detroit River. The lighthouse is built from limestone, while the blockhouse is wooden and rises two stories tall.
The lighthouse was built in 1836 to guide ships through the Detroit River and keep sailors safe. The blockhouse came three years later and served to protect the nearby Fort Malden during a time of regional tensions.
The structures show how early Canadians organized defense and river traffic in the 1800s. From the Amherstburg waterfront, you can see these two buildings and grasp how the region was monitored and protected at that time.
Since the structures sit on the island, visitors see them best from the Canadian shore, particularly from Amherstburg. The clearest views come during daylight from various waterfront vantage points scattered around town.
The blockhouse walls were built from wood rather than stone, unlike many military structures of that era. This material was readily available in the region and allowed for faster construction during times of conflict.
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