In 1823, the Burlington Bay Canal was proposed as one of a series of waterways which would open Lake Erie to sea traffic from the Atlantic. Local residents supported this proposal as a way of making Burlington Bay into a usable harbor by linking it to nearby Lake Ontario.

Work began in 1826, but was not completed until 1832. A wooden lighthouse was constructed on the canal in 1837 to guide ships to and from the harbor. This lighthouse burned to the ground in 1856, ignited by sparks from a passing steamer.

A new stone tower (Burlington Main Light) was completed in 1858. The new 55-foot tower and brick keeper's residence served until 1961, when the light was deactivated.

The lights at the end of the piers have been modified over time. The present Burlington Canal Range Light was built in 1909. (The Burlington Main Light was the Rear Range.) The white cement structure sits on the eastern end of the south pier. The other three pierheads are currently marked by round steel towers (two red and white, one green and white) like the one in Oakville.

In 2003, the Beach Canal Lighthouse Group formed to restore the Burlington Main Light. Environmental cleanup work began in 2006. As of 2006, the goal is to allow visitors to climb the tower by 2008.

References (see links)

A Traveler's Guide to 100 Eastern Great Lakes Lighthouses, Penrose, pp. 85-86
Great Lakes Lighthouses - American and Canadian, Oleszewski, p. 30

Tower, Keeper's House and Lift Bridge
 

Burlington Canal Range Light