Big Tub Light - Tobermory
Posted by: 
Hard Oiler
N 45° 15.478 W 081° 40.352
17T E 447232 N 5011827
The lighthouse protecting the entrance to the harbour at Tobermory at the top of the Bruce Peninsula in Lake Huron.
Waymark Code: WMF6V
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 06/18/2006
Views: 55
During the 1870's, Charles Earl--one of the area's first settlers--hung a lantern on a tree branch to guide the ships to the harbour's refuge. The tree's location later became the site of the lighthouse itself. Earl was paid the grand sum of $100 per year for “Keeping a Light at Tobermory Harbour”.
In 1885, the Department of Marine and Fisheries purchased three lots on the west side of the entrance to Big Tub harbour in Tobermory for a lighthouse. The lots were purchased for $18.00. The first lighthouse, costing $675.00, was erected that same year by John George and David Currie of Port Elgin who were contracted to do the job.
Abraham Davis was appointed keeper on September 21st 1885 at $100 per annum in place of “Chas. Earl, who was in temporary charge”.
At one time, a coal oil standing lamp shed a red light from the harbour entrance. It had a large burner which was turned up or down, according to the lamp brightness desired. The lighthouse became automated and electrified in 1952. A hand fog horn “which answers vessel’s signals” was established in 1910.
