A modest lighthouse in Canada’s smallest province attained national significance last week.
Parks Canada said it was designating the Blockhouse Point Lighthouse as a “heritage lighthouse” of national significance.
Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the head of Parks Canada, said the designation was made under Canada’s national Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. The designation should ensure federal funds to maintain the lighthouse for historic preservation.
“In operation since 1876, the Blockhouse Point Lighthouse has been a welcomed beacon of safety, providing guidance and comfort for all who navigate the waters of the Northumberland Strait,” Guilbeault said in his announcement. “Heritage Lighthouse designations like this one recognize the maritime and historic character of the surrounding area and provide opportunities for visitors to learn more about our shared history.”
Blockhouse Point Lighthouse was built in 1876 to improve maritime navigation safety. It can be found on the southern shores of Prince Edward Island just south of Charlottetown. It marks the entrance to a long protective bay that has kept ships safe from Atlantic storms for centuries.
The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act was passed by Canada’s parliament “to protect lighthouses owned by the federal government that have significant heritage value,” Parks Canada explained.
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Park Info
Park Name:
Blockhouse Point Lighthouse
Location:
Prince Edward Island, Canada
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