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Fort Niagara was established in 1726, on the northeastern
shore of the Niagara River, facing Lake Ontario. "The French
Castle", as the fort was nicknamed, was constructed in a
region of growing importance to French fur traders. The
fort was used as a day mark for the traders.
The British captured Fort Niagara in 1759, during the French
and Indian War. The British established a light on the roof
of the castle in 1781. This light remained in service until
1796, when it was discontinued by the Americans. The tower
was dismantled in approximately 1803.
A new beacon was established in 1823. A wooden tower was
built on the roof of the castle. The Erie Canal (1825) and
Welland Canal (1829), which bypassed the area, greatly
reduced commercial traffic past the fort. In particular, the
Welland Canal bypassed the Niagara River entirely, opeing up
direct travel between Lakes Erie and Ontario. (Previously,
vessels would have needed to bypass Niagara Falls.)
In 1872, the light was replaced by the current structure, an
octagonal gray stone tower outside the fort. The tower was
originally 50 feet high. In 1900, the tower height was
increased by 11 feet (above the protruding ring of arches on
the present tower). The new space below the lantern room
served as a keeper's watchroom, and the light was visible for
25 miles.
The Coast Guard discontinued the light on May 13, 1993. The
lighthouse is currently leased to the Old Fort Niagara
Association, which maintains the light as a museum and gift
shop.
Seaway Trail Lighthouses (2nd Edition), Tinney, Burdett-Watkins p. 19
Eastern Great Lakes Lighthouses - Ontario, Erie, and Huron, Roberts, Jones, pp. 20-21
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