Mohawk Island Lighthouse

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About The Site

Mohawk Island sketch

Mohawk Island Light was completed in 1848 to guide ships to Port Maitland and the Welland Canal. The stone tower and keeper's residence were built on a small island 1.5 miles offshore. Local farmer John Burgess was the first keeper.

In December 1932, keeper Richard Foster and his son James received a report that their home in Dunnville was on fire. Despite a blizzard, the two men left in a boat. The men were stranded on an ice floe and died of exposure. The light was automated the next year.

By the 1930's, the lighthouse had become less important. The Welland Canal feeder to the Grand River was not rebuilt, which reduced shipping traffic in the area. In 1969, the light was replaced by a floating buoy.

Select an image to enlarge

When plans were announced to demolish the lighthouse, preservationists stepped in to save the light. However, little has been done to preserve the light. The lantern room and the roof of the keeper's residence is gone, and building has been the target of vandals. Today, the Mohawk Lighthouse Preservation Society in Lowbanks, Ontario is raising money to privately restore the lighthouse.

References (see links)

A Traveler's Guide to 100 Eastern Great Lakes Lighthouses, Penrose, p. 98
Endangered Lighthouses, Harrison, Jones pp. 61-62

Directions:From Ontario Highway 3 in Port Colborne, travel west on Niagara Region Highway 3 (the trapezoidal sign). (Be aware that there are two route 3's in the area. The main route 3 is a provincial highway. The other is a county road.) (Niagara Region Highway 3 makes a poorly marked left turn less than a mile after the split with Ontario Highway 3. If you miss the turn, you will end up on a gravel road after several miles. The Niagara Region 3 sign is on the street you turn on, but there is no arrow marking the turn.) Continue through Lowbanks past Mohawk Point Road. Shortly after you pass through a more settled area of the shore, you will enter a more rural area. Look for Dickhout Road. The next road is Pyle Road. Turn left (south) on Pyle. The lighthouse can be seen from the end of Pyle Road. (You can also turn left on Dickhout and right on Villella - this also leads you to the end of Pyle road. From Ontario Highway 3 in Dunnville, travel southeast on Niagara Region Highway 3. Continue on Niagara Region Highway 3 to Pyle Road.

The Mohawk Island Preservation Society can be reached at 905-774-2590. (September 2006)