In Musquodoboit Bay at the easternmost point on mainland Nova Scotia, the fishing community of Canso has been around for a long, long time. In fact, it is the "Oldest Fishing Port on Mainland North America", having been first settled 301 years before this light was first lit. Since being lit, it has guided innumerable fishing vessels into the harbour, night and day, in good weather and bad. Apparently, it still operates, still guiding the fleet safely home when darkness falls.
Lit in 1905, it required the attention of a keeper until about 1993, when it became automated. Now lit by electricity, it would have been lit by an oil lamp until it received its first electric light in 1941.
Specifications of the lighthouse are below.
CANSO RANGE LIGHTS REAR - Light Details
Body of Water
County
Region
Scenic Drive
Light Type:
Location:
Standing:
Operating:
Automated:
Date Automated:
Began:
Year Lit:
Structure Type:
Light Characteristic:
Tower Height:
Light Height:
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Canso Harbour
Guysborough
Eastern Shore
Marine Drive
Rear Range Light
S. of Lanigan Beach, S. entrance to harbour
This light is still standing
This light is operational
All lights in N.S. are automated
Automated by 1993
1905
1905
Square wood tower, white
Fixed Red (1941), Fixed Yellow (1992)
44 feet feet high
108 feet feet above water level
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• 1922 - 1941 - 7th order dioptric lens
• 1962 - in operation - 1964 - 1968 - elevation reduced from 108 - 97 feet
From the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society