Mabou Harbour Lighthouse Rear Range Light

Operated by the Mabou Harbour Authority

The pyramidal wooden lighthouse at Mabou Harbour was built in 1884 to guide coastal steamers transporting non-perishable goods into the only protected harbour on the western side of Cape Breton Island. At that time, a number of general stores served the countryside for miles around. At various times gypsum was shipped from here, and there was a lobster and salmon canning factory right next to the lighthouse. Now, the pretty lighthouse is the Mabou Harbour Museum and Tourist Centre, opened in June 1998, to showcase the history of the lighthouse and the village.

Photo - © Courtesy Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Mabou Harbour Lighthouse, 1990's

Restoration

The lighthouse after restoration by the Coast Guard

Photo - © Tom Roberts, Mabou Harbour Lighthouse

MABOU HARBOUR RANGE LIGHTS REAR I - Light Details

• Light Type: Rear Range Light
• Location: North side of channel at McFayden's Wharf
• Standing: This light is no longer standing.
• Operating: This light is no longer operating.
• Date Automated: Automated by 1993
• Began: 1884
• Year Lit: 1884
• Structure Type: Square wood tower, white

MABOU RANGE LIGHTS RANGE LIGHTS REAR II - Light Details

• Light Type: Rear Range Light
• Location: North side of channel at McFayden's Wharf
• Standing: This light is still standing.
• Operating: This light is operational
• Automated: All operating lights in Nova Scotia are automated.
• Began: 1908
• Year Lit: 1884
• Structure Type: Square wood tower, white
• Light Characteristic: Fixed Red (1922)
• Tower Height: 047ft feet high.
• Light Height: 044ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

• 1922 - pressed glass dioptric lens
• 1930 - in operation, range light, 700 yards from front light which was destroyed in 1955
• 1992 - in operation