Goderich in Huron County, Ontario — Central Canada
Port of Goderich Lighthouse
Canada's prettiest town
1847 This tower was built by Scottish stonemason, Adam MacVicar. It stands 10.1 metres high (about 33 feet) and 42.7 metres above the lake (about 140 feet). The design is almost unique in that most lighthouses built before and after were taller, cylindrical and tapered.
1849 The lighthouse and the land it is built on were sold to Her Majesty Queen Victoria by Thomas Mercer Jones, Commissioner of the Canada Company
1914 A new flashing light was installed in an attempt at improvements, following the Great Storm of 1913. The lighthouse keeper's home and outbuildings were removed at the same time.
1925 The light was wired for electricity and the power used to turn the huge mirrors that make the flash. It flashes twice in 25 seconds, with intervals of 6 and 19 seconds. In clear weather it can be seen for about 46 kilometres (about 21 miles).
2003 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sold the lighthouse and the land it is built on to the Town of Goderich.
Storm Warning Signal
The pole in front of the lighthouse in the large photo is not a flagpole. At 35 Canadian ports and harbours along the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River and Atlantic Coast, wind warnings were posted using wicker baskets, cones or drums hoisted up a mast or pole.
The type of object used indicated the approach of a storm and its expected strength. This was an improvement over the then-current American practice of only indicating that winds would be strong. Later, lanterns were also used to send the warnings by night.
The wicker basket and signal drums reportedly flew until the 1950s when the last storm station was decommissioned.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 43° 44.519′ N, 81° 43.475′ W. Marker is in Goderich, Ontario, in Huron County. Marker is on Cobourg Street just west of Lighthouse Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goderich ON N7A 2J2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Goderich Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canadian Pacific Railway Station (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Great Storm of 1913 (about 150 meters away); Goderich Dominion Post Office and Customs Office
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.