Summerside, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
The Indian Head Lighthouse & Breakwater
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 28, 2026
1. The Indian Head Lighthouse & Breakwater Marker
The lighthouse at the mouth of Summerside harbour was constructed in 1880 by Richard Keefe of Alberton who was awarded the contract by the Dominion Government. The octagonal building with a tower rising above the keeper's living quarters, was placed at the end of a long shoal running out from MacCallum's Point as a navigation guide for vessels entering Bedeque Bay. Capt. Charles Peters was the lighthouse keeper when the light became operational in 1881. After his death the same year, he was succeeded by Capt. James Walsh who spent many years in the "lonely summer residence."
By 1883 a deep channel was forming on the east side of the new structure so a breakwater was constructed to prevent serious damage to the lighthouse, which was built on a circular iron caisson. This foundation was replaced in 1907 by one of concrete. That same year, a new incandescent vapor light was installed in the tower and construction started on a new breakwater that was 3140 feet long. Over a period of two years, the contractors worked on the massive structure along with a solid timber block,
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Repairs to both the lighthouse and breakwater have been made over the years. The light is still in working condition, but the building has been boarded up. The relentless action of the tides and the expected seasonal storms have taken their toll on both historic structures, but they still serve as monuments to those who built them and are familiar land- marks in this area of PEI.
Le phare, qui se trouve à l'embouchure du port de Summerside, fut construit en 1880 par Richard Keefe d'Alberton qui s'est vu octroyer le contrat par le gouvernement fédéral. L'édifice octogonal, sur lequel est érigée une tour surplombant le logement du gardien du phare, fut construit au bout d'un long haut-fond partant de MacCallum's Point et servit de guide de navigation pour les navires entrant dans la baie de Bedeque. Le capit- aine Charles Peters fut le gardien du phare lorsque ce dernier devint opérationnel en 1881. Après sa mort, la même année, le capitaine James Walsh, qui passa
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 28, 2026
2. The Indian Head Lighthouse & Breakwater Marker
En 1883, un profond chenal se forma sur le côté est de la nouvelle structure, de sorte qu'un brise lame fut con- struit pour éviter que le phare, qui avait été bâti sur un caisson d'acier circulaire, ne subisse des dommages graves. Ce caisson fut remplacé par un support en béton en 1907. La même année, un nouvel éclairage incan- descent à vapeur fut installé dans la tour et la construction d'un nouveau brise-lame de 3 140 pi fut entreprise. Durant deux années, les entrepreneurs travaillèrent sur l'imposante structure à partir d'un bloc de bois de con- struction solide, en faisant venir de la pierre de Wallace (Nouvelle-Écosse) transportée par chalands et goélettes. De nombreux curieux en provenance de Summerside firent le voyage pour observer l'avancée des travaux.
Les travaux de réparation effectués sur le phare et le brise-lame durèrent plusieurs années. L'éclairage est encore en bon état de fonctionnement, mais le bâtiment a été condamné. L'activité incessante des marées et les tempêtes saisonnières prévues ont abîmé les deux structures historiques, mais elles représentent des monuments qui perpétuent le souvenir de ceux qui les ont construites et elles constituent des points de repère familiers dans cette région de l'Île du Prince Édouard.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 46° 23.592′ N, 63° 47.776′ W. Marker is in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. It is on Water Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 394 Water Street, Summerside PE C1N 1C7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also the Viceroyalty of New France.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Head of Queen's Wharf (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Holman Homestead (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); In memory of Carrie Ellen Holman (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Summerside Armoury (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Former Summerside Post Office / L'Ancien Bureau de Poste de Summerside (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Great Fire of 1906 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Georgina Fane Pope (approx. half a kilometer away); The Drill Shed (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerside.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
