Historically significant Cape Breton lighthouse celebrates centennial this year

September 14, 2024                  Louisbourg, Nova Scotia                    Parks Canada

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Louisbourg Lighthouse which stands at the same location as the first lighthouse in Canada – originally built in Cape Breton in 1734. To mark the centennial year of the current lighthouse and the recent refurbishment of the structure, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Louisbourg Lighthouse on Saturday. Mr. Kelloway was there on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Residents and visitors participated in various fun family activities, a barbeque, live musical performances and storytelling, and a boat parade at the lighthouse and in the community of Louisbourg.

In 2023, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a $1.3 million refurbishment project of the lighthouse. The project included a variety of concrete repairs, surface cleaning, recoating of the light tower, and other interior and exterior repairs. The final step in the refurbishment – replacement of the windows – will be done in the next few weeks.

Over the years, the structure was damaged in battle, destroyed by fire, and rebuilt several times. Construction of the current lighthouse began in 1923 and completed in 1924. The land on which it now sits is administered by Parks Canada and is part of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.

National historic sites reflect the rich and varied heritage of Canada and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history. From lighthouses to battlefields, historic neighbourhoods to cultural landscapes, there is an amazing array of places and stories to discover. The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is North America’s largest historical reconstruction and is a key driver of tourism to Cape Breton Island. The investment in the refurbishment of the Louisbourg Lighthouse ensures both tourists and seafarers alike can appreciate and benefit from the lighthouse for years to come.

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