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Canada’s oldest lighthouse site (and North America’s second) is finally receiving a much needed facelift. Located on the east coast of Cape Breton, the current concrete tower sits next to the ruins of the French-built tower of 1734, across the harbor from Fortress Louisbourg. The reconstructed fortress and ruins of the original stone lighthouse are part of a national historic site, administered by Parks Canada. The light was crucial to French naval ships which protected and supplied soldiers and settlers based in this strategic stronghold in eastern North America. The original stone tower, with its wooden lantern illuminated by sperm oil, was badly damaged by fire in 1736. A new fire-proof lantern went into service in 1738, but served only until it was heavily bombarded during the second British siege in 1758.
Louisbourg’s harbor remained dark until 1842, when workers constructed a massive combined dwelling/lighthouse adjacent to the original tower. This wooden tower burned to the ground in 1922, and in 1923 the current concrete tower went into service. The ornate Greek revival-influenced structure is a twin to the tower on Georges Island in Halifax Harbour, although the Coast Guard covered up the latter’s beautiful detailed window “trim” and lantern deck ornamentation with a coat of concrete “shotcrete” many years ago.
Louisbourg’s tower retains its architectural details, but time has not been kind to the 55-foot tower. The Canadian Coast Guard de-staffed the light in 1990, and in recent years maintenance has been almost non-existent. Chunks of concrete have been breaking off from the tower for years, testament to the structure’s exposure to a harsh marine environment. But finally, in late October of 2012, contractors arrived at the site to begin repairing the concrete and painting the tower. As of mid-December 2012, the lower portion of the tower has been repaired and painted with a latex “gel” paint designed to bond well to concrete. There is evidence that work will continue on the rest of the tower, although many might question the prudence of repairing and painting a concrete tower on the wild coast of Nova Scotia during the fall and winter months!
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