The Lighthouses of Lake Ontario

Fort Niagara; Built in 1872 out of local limestone; this is no longer in use (thus the trees which conceal it pretty well from the water). It was taken out of service in 1993.

Take the Robert Moses Parkway as north to the Fort Niagara State Park. ARLHS # USA-294

This has recently been resold and it is in the process of being opened for viewing. It's nearly a duplicate of a light that was in Cleveland OH from 1829 to 1895. The original tower was 110' tall but had extensive damage so the owners only restored the essence rather than the complete tower.

North of Rochester; take the Lake Ontario State Parkway east to NY 222 (Lighthouse Road). Turn left on Clearview avenue and you'll find the light on the lake side. ARLHS # USA-075

This is the modern Rochester lighthouse. Like all the modern ones it is fully automated; and shows a good case of terminal "uglies". ARLHS # USA-322

This light also was established in 1870. It is on the very end of the channel that lets boats into Sodus Bay. ARLHS # USA-766

If you're interested; this light (and the adjacent Marina) is for sale. Note that it has the original "bird cage" housing for the light. All the other lights were upgraded in the 1850's but since this light was decommissioned in 1858 it was not upgraded.

To get here; follow NY 3 to County Road 5; the go to the end. ARLHS # USA-719

The island is about 12 miles from historic Sackets Harbor, New York, about 10 miles from Henderson Harbor. ARLHS # USA-314

Photo courtesy Bob Indrums [Flickr]

This light marks the entrance to the St. Lawrence River. There was a light here in 1827 made out of rubble stone; this light was erected in 1854. It now serves as a youth hostel. This photo shows the light; then (moving to the left) the fog horn building; finally the fuel storage building (which now is a paint shed). ARLHS # USA-848

This light can be seen with binoculars from Tibbets Point; but for a good view a boat or plane ride is required. The light originally was at Vermillion Ohio. We saw the light from the water on a ^{GLLKA tour} ARLHS # USA-970

This lighthouse can be seen from the shore in Alexandria Bay. The lighthouse can also be seen from tour boats out of Alexandria Bay; Clayton; or Canada. ARLHS # USA-828

From NY-12; 4.1 miles northeast of Chippewa Bay (if you are traveling from the south) and 2.5 miles southwest of Oak Point Road (if you are traveling from the north); turn onto an unmarked road (toward the river) which leads immediately to Riverledge Road. Turn right; and look for the lighthouse on the river. ARLHS # USA-206

Before modernization, this was a quot;real" lighthouse. After modernization, there still is a cupola on top of the daymark, so I have chosen to include it. This range marks the northern entrance to Brockville Narrows and is only visible from a boat

From NY-37; exit onto NY-68 (Canton St.). From Canton Street; turn right onto State Street to the riverfront. Turn left on Riverside Avenue and drive one block to a park. The lighthouse is on the opposite side of the Oswegatchie River. This is privately owned so permission is needed to gain access. ARLHS # USA-562

This light marks the entrance to the city marina. I'd guess that the weather's bad enough that you need the light; you shouldn't be out in this size boat. ARLHS # CAN-767

In Kingston Ontario; follow Highway 2 (Princess St.) to the end (Ontario St.). Turn left and then right at the Wolfe Island Ferry. The car ferry is free. Take the ferry to Wolfe Island. Exit the ferry in Marysville onto Highway 95 and make an immediate right onto Highway 96. Drive 3.5 miles and turn right onto a gravel road at the cable ferry dock to Simcoe Island. Take the very small cable ferry to Simcoe Island. (There is a fee for the cable ferry.) From there; follow Simcoe Island's only main road to the lighthouse. The land is private so bring your long lens or ask permission for access. ARLHS # CAN-758

This replica of the Snake Island light is located on Wolfe Island. It is fairly accurate except for the lantern area. Snake Island Shoal was built in 1858; moved twice and burned to the ground in 1958.

This light is clearly visible from the Wolfe Island ferry as you leave Kingston. Clearly not a lighthouse; it does protect boats entering the marina.

Althought never technically listed as an aid to navigation; navigators have used the illuminated dome of the city hall as a guide to the harbor for years.

This actually is a re-creation. This light was built in 1967. This ligh, like the next 5, are all in Prince Edward County; just south of 401; but there's a whole lot of Canada between them. ARLHS # CAN-864

This light is on the opposite end of Prince Edward County, and it seems like it is only gravel roads separating these 2 lights. This is a research facility, so this picture is about as close as you can get to it. ARLHS # CAN-763

This light has lost it's top (as you can see), but there is still one of the solar powered bulbs up there (almost impossible to see in this picture). ARLHS # CAN 412

Photo courtesy Gary J. Wood [Flickr]

Driving into Toronto, the wrong way because we got trapped in the express lanes of 401, we drive right by this and say "we've got to go back ... later". So after dinner; I went back; it was a quiet Sunday night; and easy to find. ARLHS # CAN-542

The Oakville light has been replaced by the modern monstrosity shown on the right. In theory, you can see the old light from the water; but it takes very sharp eyes and a different point of view than this one. ARLHS # CAN-633

Originally the rear light leading boats into the Burlington Canal; this light is now blocked by the East Port lift bridge and has pretty much been ignored. ARLHS # CAN-063

This is the rear end of the range. Both lights; while active; were in poor repair. As you can see, they have recently been picked up by a local group for renovation and are in excellent shape. ARLHS # CAN-541

Built on the Canadian side of the Niagara River in 1903; this pair of lights will lead boats up the river. ARLHS # CAN-620