West Point Lighthouse
Have you ever stood beside a lighthouse and watched the waves crash in to shore? Have you heard the heavy pounding of the surf and felt the wind blowing your hair. It is an incredible experience.
Romantic scenes of lighthouses run through our minds. The light rotating and flashing in a stormy sea warn ships that rocks and shallows can send them to a watery grave. One such lighthouse is West Point Light, located on the southwestern tip of Prince Edward Island. It is a square, tapered, wooden tower that was built in 1875 for the Department of Maine. It became operational on May 21, 1876.
West Point Light was manually operated for eighty-seven years. During this time only two light keepers operated the lighthouse. From 1875 to 1925, the keeper was William MacDonald. From 1825 to 1963, Benny Mac Isaac kept the light. Both MacDonald and Mac Isaac were local residents.
Within West Point Light, interpretive displays in the museum take you back into the lives of the two men. The MacDonald cradle is a finely crafted piece of furniture that gives a glimpse of family life in the lighthouse.
The architecture of West Point Light followed the standard of the day. It has a grey sandstone foundation that stands on a grid of cedar logs. This prevented sinking. The heavy corner posts are 13 inches square at the ground. They taper to 10 inches at the forth level. Corner braces, above and below each floor are placed 16 inches apart.
The first two floors of the tower are plastered and divided as extensions of the living quarters of the attached house. The first floor has a parlor with two closets. Two bedrooms can be found on the second floor. Doors in each level allowed the keeper to access his dwelling. Stairs connect the levels on the east wall.
Prior to automation, a large shaft ran through the center of the tower. This is where the weights that operated the clock mechanism were found. A dumb waiter carried the light's fuel to the forth story. This allowed the keeper quick access to the light from his quarters.
Today, the living quarters have been restored and furnished with items from that era. Some of the pieces, such as the MacDonald cradle are original.
In 1982, West Point Development Corporation, took on the task of enhancing the beauty of the community for both visitors and residents. One of their goals was to restore West Point Light. They felt the unique 68 foot black and white lighthouse was a drawing card for the area. Today, West Point Light is a comfortable inn. What a delight for lighthouse lovers. Visitors can stay overnight in one of the nine cozy bedrooms, which each have a private bath. Two of the rooms have whirlpools. The rooms have been furnished to allow visitors to step back in time to the era of lighthouse keepers.
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