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McKay Island Lighthouse

White🇨🇦Bruce Mines, CAOperational

The McKay Island Lighthouse, built in 1907, is a 12-meter-tall cylindrical wood tower with a lantern and gallery atop a two-story keeper's house. It is situated on an island off Bruce Mines, on the north side of the shipping channel. The structure is accessible from the mainland via bridges connecting through French Island. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1975 and fell into severe disrepair. It was later purchased and restored by Harold Peterson, who owned the surrounding island. The Canadian Coast Guard retains ownership, while Bruce Bay Cottages and Lighthouse manages the property as a vacation rental.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marked the channel near Bruce Mines, guiding local shipping and recreational craft. Its unique design, integrating the tower and keeper's house, represents an interesting architectural adaptation for maritime heritage preservation.

Characteristic Signature
White
Light Color
White
Year Built
1907

Significant events: Deactivated in 1975, severely deteriorated, purchased and restored by Harold Peterson

Nearest Port
De Tour Village(18.2 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-311
Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
wood

Structure: square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery mounted on the roof of 2-story square wood keeper's house

City
Bruce Mines
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Ontario
Sea Region
An island off Bruce Mines on the north side of the channel, accessible by bridges from the mainland via French Island
Latitude
46.2825°
Longitude
-83.7816°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Which ports and harbors does McKay Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
McKay Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is THESSALON MUNICIPAL at 9.7 NM to the E. Other ports served include De Tour Village (18 NM SSW), DRUMMOND ISLAND (18.2 NM SSW), Sault-Sainte-Marie (26.8 NM WNW), Sault Sainte Marie (26.9 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is McKay Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, McKay Island Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near McKay Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near McKay Island Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.