FHBRO # 90-089

LOL # 1056

BUILT 1876

POSITION 46 27 19.1 N 63 17 31.7 W in North Rustico Harbour, Gulf of St. Lawrence

LIGHT Yellow: flash, 5 seconds; eclipse, 5 seconds

FOCAL POINT 12.4 m (41 ft)

TOWER HEIGHT 10.4 m (34 ft)

NOMINAL RANGE Not listed

The tower is a simple, well-proportioned structure with an attached dwelling. Unlike most lighthouses on PEI, which are shingled, it is covered with metal siding. The lantern has a wooden balustrade and is supported by wooden brackets. The lighthouse was designed by the Department of Marine. The builder is unknown. The design of the building was carefully planned as can be seen by the placement of the windows. The dwelling has two windows on each of the long facades and one on the tower end. The tower windows on the long façade align vertically with the corresponding dwelling windows.

The North Rustico Lighthouse has been repaired and moved a number of times. The lighthouse was first moved in 1884. The lighthouse was undermined and capsized during a gale on January 12, 1899. It was moved back and rebuilt as a coast light. It was again moved in 1914. In 1954 a new foundation was installed. It was destaffed in 1960.

The attached dwelling was leased as a summer residence from 1968-1973. A new tower was built in 1973 and the old tower was declared surplus in 1974-75. Local residents reacted strongly to plans to sell or dismantle the old lighthouse due to its historic and aesthetic value. Strong pressure was brought to bear and the light was re-established in the old tower in 1976.

The lighthouse contributed to the development of the local fishing community. George Pineau was keeper from 1925 to 1960.