Fisgard Lighthouse - Canada's Oldest West Coast Lighthouse is Still Operational!
Growing up around the many lakes of Ontario, lighthouses have always fascinated me. I o
ften used to dream of what it would be like to be a lighthouse keeper, living on some remote island or on a driftwood strewn beach along the Lake Ontario Coast.
With my love of historical lighthouses intact, one of the first places I wanted to visit when we landed in Victoria, BC last September, was Fisgard Lighthouse, Canada's oldest west coast lighthouse.
The lighthouse was built in 1860, before Vancouver Island was even part of Canada, by the British. It stands at the entrance to Esquimalt harbour and used to be a beacon for the British Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron.
The Royal Canadian Navy still uses the lighthouse today as a marker showing the way in to the home base.
I was looking forward to touring the inside of the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper's red brick house. Unfortunately when we arrived, the lighthouse was closed for renovations. 
Fisgard Lighthouse was automated in 1929 and the lighthouse keeper's house has stood empty, except for tourists, ever since.
I was able to capture some pictures of the beautiful Fisgard Island setting (no longer an island since a road is now built out to the site) and take in the stunning views out over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
If you visit Victoria, be sure to take the picturesque drive out of the city (only about 30 minutes or so) to Fort Rod Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse.
©2010JoSmith
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Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Brekland Realty Group, Oakville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.oakville-burlingtonhomes.com |
