Chantry Island Light
By Dave Wobser

Another of the six “Imperial Towers” built by John Brown around the Bruce Peninsula. The light is a coastal light and warns mariners away from the rocky coastline and the island.

Built in 1859, the limestone tower is 86-feet high and still is an active aid to navigation. The keeper’s dwelling is only shell of standing walls, having been destroyed by fire a number of years ago.

The tower is painted white with a bright red roof, lantern and trim. The lantern houses a Second Order Fresnel Lens.

Chantry Island was designated a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary in 1957 to protect the many birds nesting there.

In 1998 local group met to form an organization to restore the Keeper’s Quarters. Through donations and other support, the Supporters of Chantry Island are well on their way to returning the station to its former glory.

The tower can be viewed by exiting Highway-21 onto Claredon Road in South Hampton. Go to the end of Claredon where it turns into Huron Road, then turn right onto Beach Road. The light is visible about a mile off shore on the mainland side of the island.

2007 Update
Tours of the Chantry Island light are being made available in 2007. The tours leave from the Tour Base and Gift Shop which is located on the south side of the Saugeen River at the harbor in Southampton. There are two tours daily at 1:00 and 3:00pm from June to mid-September. A possible third tour at 9:30am may be added in August.

Tours are limited to 9 person in the boat and cost $25.00 each. Reservations are a must.

For additional information or reservations, call 519-797-5862 or toll free 1-866-797-5862, or visit www.chantryisland.com, or email chantryisland@bmts.com

Click on image to enlarge

Photograph by Dave Wobser

• View from the dock - Larry LePage

• Lantern detail - Larry LePage