Candlebox Lighthouse, 2005

Photo - © Kathy Brown

Early History

Benjamin and Theresa LeBlanc, and Albert and Louise LeBlanc, deeded the Candlebox for $125.00 to the crown in 1891. The first lighthouse was a tapered square wood tower with attached dwelling, painted white. The 56 ft. high tower had a fixed, red, dioptric optic [refracting lens]. The light was visible from eight miles out at sea. It was built by John B. Porter of Yarmouth County for $2,248.00.
This lighthouse was lit on Feb. 1, 1893. The first keeper, Benjamin LeBlanc, was paid $300 per year. By 1906 there was a hand foghorn to answer signals from approaching vessels.

The next keeper, Norman Couttreau was given the job of lightkeeper by the government after he fought in WW I. He was on the Candlebox from that time until sometime in the 1940's. Norman's son, Vernon Couttreau, was born on the island in 1921, then his daughter Lois (Couttreau) Nickerson was born there in 1924. Norman's five other children were not born on the Candlebox because they were due in the winter time. It was too hard to have them on the island because of the unpredictable weather.

Lois thinks that her father was trained by Benjamin LeBlanc and that he, in turn, may have trained Delbert Surrette to take over his position as the lightkeeper after 1940.

Keeper Lester LeBlanc, who took over from Delbert Surrette, was the first and only one to live in the south side of the new dwelling house.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Sources: The Argyle Township Court House & Archives, Lois Nickerson, NSLPS Database

Candlebox Island Lighthouse Locator Map

CANDLEBOX ISLAND I - Light Details

• Location: Centre of island, north entrance to Schooner Passage
• Standing: This light is no longer standing.
• Operating: This light is no longer operating.
• Began: 1893
• Year Lit: 1893
• Structure Type: Tapered square wood tower, white, dwelling attached
• Light Characteristic: Fixed Red (1941)
• Tower Height: 037ft feet high.
• Light Height: 056ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

• 1898 - fog horn established
• 1922 - 1941 - 7th order dioptric lens, hand fog horn
• 1960 - hand fog horn in answer to vessels
• 1962 - 1964 - replaced by present tower

CANDLEBOX ISLAND II - Light Details

• Location: Centre of island, north entrance to Schooner Passage
• Standing: This light is no longer standing.
• Operating: This light is no longer operating.
• Date Automated: Automated by 1986
• Began: c. 1965
• Year Lit: c. 1965
• Structure Type: Square concrete tower, white, on fog signal building
• Light Characteristic: Fixed Red (1992)
• Tower Height: 038ft feet high.
• Light Height: 046ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

• 1962 - 1964 - replaced tower of 1893
• 1990 - 1992 - 6th order dioptric lens, electric, fog horn in operation

Lightkeepers for Candlebox Island Lighthouse

• Smith, Norman X
• Nickerson, Clayton X
• Couttreau, Norman c1920-c1955
• Surette, Delbert
• LeBlanc, Lester 1963-1985
• Norwood, LeForest 1985-1986