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Lighthouse Day by clayton seams |
photos by clayton seams
The shores of Ontario’s lakes and rivers are peppered with 146 classic lighthouses. In fact Ontario has more lighthouses than any Canadian province other than Nova Scotia. These lighthouses range from towering stone affairs built in the earliest days of Canadian Parliament to humble wooden structures marking the harbours of hamlets that grew into villages and then towns. Before the advent of the car, Ontario was a mostly waterfaring province and these lighthouses helped travelers to avoid dangerous rocks and navigate to Ontario's multitudinous harbours and ports. These five lighthouses make great summer day trips whether you’re interested in history or maybe would just like to see a new part of Ontario and all are within a 300km drive of downtown Mississauga.
GODERICH LIGHTHOUSE
Perched atop a commanding bluff overlooking Lake Huron you will find the Goderich Lighthouse. This square tower was built in 1847 to mark the town’s harbor and though it stands only 10 meters tall, its light is 46 meters above the surface of the water making it one of the loftiest in Ontario. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse have multiple picnic tables and is a great place to have lunch while admiring the view.
30 MODERN MISSISSAUGA | EARLY SUMMER 2022
Goderich claims to be Canada’s prettiest town and they have some grounds on which to make that argument. A distinctive octagonal town square features a courthouse in the middle flanked by multiple shops and eateries around its radius. Of particular interest is Part 2 Bistro serving refined Canadian classics in the town square. Goderich also has an excellent beach for swimming although parking can become scarce on summer weekends.
PORT BURWELL LIGHTHOUSE
This red-striped tower is the oldest wooden lighthouse on the Canadian Great Lakes. It would have rotted into disrepair like most wooden lighthouses if not for the commendable efforts of the local Mennonite community in 1986 who restored the lighthouse with hand tools and techniques similar to those used in its original construction. Originally, the tower was painted white with a red lantern room but the distinctive vertical red stripes were added during its 1986 restoration. Port Burwell has other attractions that make it a worthwhile destination for a summer day trip. The sandy beach is great for swimming although check water conditions before you leave. The Port Burwell Marine Museum is also worth checking out. But the town’s most famous attraction is the massive cold war submarine, the HMCS Ojibwa which can be seen looming behind the town’s main street. Tours are offered but slots do fill up so make sure to make reservations before you go!