ROCKY POINT, PEI – The federal government has announced the designation of Blockhouse Point Lighthouse at Rocky Point, PEI under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
The landmark is a 42-foot, square-tapered wooden tower lighthouse with an attached two-storey lightkeeper’s residence, stated an Aug. 30 release. The lighthouse was built in 1876 of local materials including timber and has survived over 130 years of harsh maritime conditions, “a testament to the quality of timber and craftsmanship employed in its construction,” the release stated.
Blockhouse Point Lighthouse guides ships and mariners through the Northumberland Strait. It’s situated at Rocky Point at the west entrance of Charlottetown Harbour on Prince Edward Island’s south shore.
With the new designation, 112 lighthouses in eight provinces have now been protected under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. Designations under the act are made by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
“As one of the oldest lighthouses in Prince Edward Island, the Blockhouse Point Lighthouse represents an important piece of Island history and is in an area of great cultural and historical significance to the Mi’kmaq people. The designation of the Blockhouse Point Lighthouse acknowledges this rich history and ensures its preservation for current and future generations to enjoy,” stated Abegweit First Nation director of economic development Tyler Gould.
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