FHBRO # Not applicable

LOL # Not applicable. Both former towers have been decommissioned

BUILT Light established in 1856. First lighthouse moved to this location in 1906

POSITION 46 47 57 N 64 02 12.5 W On sand hills, south side of Alberton Harbour

LIGHT Not applicable

FOCAL POINT Not applicable

TOWER HEIGHT 15 m (49 ft)

NOMINAL RANGE Not applicable

Records of a Cascumpeque light go back to 1856. It is unlikely that the old Cascumpeque Lighthouse which we see today was built at that time, because early records state that the West Point Lighthouse, built in 1875, was the first of the square tapered towers on PEI.

The old Cascumpeque (or Cascumpec) Lighthouse was built on Charlie MacBeth’s sand hills, known as “Cum’s Sandals” and was moved to its present location on the Cascumpeque Sandhills around 1900. It was moved across the ice by 16 teams of horses. They had planned to move it further south, but it became stuck in snowdrifts and remained at that location. The lighthouse consisted of a square tapered tower with an attached dwelling and oil house.

In October, 1968, a new mechanical light was put into operation at a location adjacent to the old lighthouse. The new lighthouse was constructed as a square, metal skeleton tower that was later enclosed. It had broad red and white bands and was 17.8 m (58 ft) high. There was a small building next to the new tower. When the new lighthouse was built, the old Cascumpeque Lighthouse, and indeed the whole island on which it is located, was sold and is now privately owned. The owners keep it in good repair and it adds to the beauty of this lovely harbour.

In 1999, the new light was down-graded in intensity. During a severe storm surge in January, 2004, the sand hill on which the tower was located received such damage that the lighthouse was removed in June, 2004. Another light has been placed on the opposite side of the harbour entrance.

Exact dates of service were not available for all keepers. The first keeper was Captain D. Fraser. The 1866 PEI Calendar of the Year names William Hubbard of Cascumpec as lighthouse keeper. Asa McCabe and his son John kept the light from 1867 until John retired. They were followed by Jim Cahill, James Tuplin (1910), and Captain Dan Fraser. William H. Mallet was appointed keeper on February 27, 1914. He retired on March 16, 1944. Justin F. Mallet was temporary keeper from July 27, 1943, until May 31, 1944, while his father, William, was sick. Maurice Perry was also temporary keeper from May 8, 1944 until he resigned on August 1, 1944. Wilfred Richard Gaudin was assigned as keeper on August 1, 1944. He continued until his retirement in 1968. However, other records state that John Joseph Gavin was posted as temporary lighthouse keeper on August 12, 1963. Upton Fraser maintained the foghorn for a time.