Harbour is a hub of activityAs early as the 1890's, excursion boats from Detroit travelled up Lake Huron to stop in Kincardine. Today, the beacon--which can be seen for 34 kms (21 miles) in clear weather--is still used as a navigational aid for pleasure boaters. The lightkeeper was also the Harbour Master, maintaining the harbour and collecting mooring fees. During the 1950's, it cost a mere $.02 per foot to moor a boat! The keeper's job was a demanding one, covering 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. In 1977, the keeper's job was discontinued, and the light was automated. The six-room keeper's house below the tower is now the Kincardine Yacht Club's clubhouse and a marine museum. Artifacts from the Bruce County Museum & Archives and vintage photos of the harbour printed from glass negatives trace the area's marine history for the public to explore and enjoy. Since September 1980, the Canadian Coast Guard has leased the lighthouse to the Kincardine Yacht Club, who are responsible for maintaining and operating the lighthouse, the range light and the fog horn. When the light from the lighthouse is aligned with the 250-watt light at the north end of the pier, vessels are able to steer a safe passage into the harbour. The front range light is equipped with an electric fog horn used when the harbour entrance is obscured by fog. In 1999, the front range light was changed to a TRI-SECTOR light. The old 250-watt light is now in the Museum. |
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