Gibraltar Point Lighthouse marks the southwestern tip of the Toronto Islands. Originally constructed in 1808, the stone tower is Toronto's first lighthouse. The tower was originally 52 ft. tall, and housed a fixed white lamp. The tower was raised to 82 ft. in 1832. A revolving white light was installed in 1878. An electric flashing light was installed in 1916-1917, when the station first received electricity.

The current light (a fixed green light to identify it among the city lights) was installed in 1945. The light was transferred to a nearby skeleton tower in 1958, and the stone tower transferred to the Metropolitan Parks Department. The tower was renovated in 1961-1962.

The lighthouse is the site of an unsolved mystery. The first keeper, J.P. Rademuller, disappeared on January 2, 1815. Years later, a skeleton believed to be Rademuller's was found near the lighthouse. To this day, Gibraltar Point is believed to be haunted.

The common tale surrounding Rademuller's death is that two or three soldiers came to call, and demanded that he produce his keg of beer. After serving a few drinks, the keeper refused to serve the soldiers further. Rademuller was killed in the fight which ensued. However, there is no information to verify this tale. There are no court records that anyone was ever tried for the death of the unfortunate keeper.

References (see links)

A Traveler's Guide to 100 Eastern Great Lakes Lighthouses, Penrose p. 80
City of Toronto - Gibraltar Point website (see links)