Cape Forchu Lighthouse
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Nova Scotia
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Location |
Cape Forchu Nova Scotia Canada |
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Coordinates | 43°48′25″N 66°9′30″W / 43.80694°N 66.15833°WCoordinates: 43°48′25″N 66°9′30″W / 43.80694°N 66.15833°W |
Year first constructed | 1839 (first) |
Year first lit | 1962 (current) |
Construction | reinforced concrete tower |
Tower shape | hexagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern |
Markings / pattern | tower with white and red vertical stripes, red balcony and lantern |
Height | 27.7 metres (91 ft) (first) 30 metres (98 ft) (current) |
Focal height | 38.4 metres (126 ft) (first) 35 metres (115 ft) (current) |
Intensity | 1,000,000 candela |
Range | 30 nautical miles (56 km; 35 mi) |
Characteristic | Fl W 14s. |
Admiralty number | H3820 |
CHS number | CCG 260 |
NGA number | 10728 |
ARLHS number | CAN-097 |
Managing agent | Cape Forch Lightstation |
The Cape Forchu Lighthouse is located in Cape Forchu, Nova Scotia. The lighthouse is located 11 km from Yarmouth.
The lighthouse was constructed in 1839 and was operational in 1840. The original station was demolished in 1961 and replaced in 1962 with the "apple core" - a concrete tower. Since 2000, the original fresnel lens used at the lighthouse is located at the Yarmouth County Museum.
The Friends of the Yarmouth Light Society operate a museum in the lighthouse keeper’s house with exhibits about the lighthouse and local history. The surrounding 19 acres of rocky headland are protected as a park.
It was the first operating light station in Canadian history to be transferred to a municipality from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans through the Alternative Use Program on June 1, 2000. In exchange for the delivery of services it was transferred to the municipality for 1 dollar. In 2003 it became a registered Heritage property of Nova Scotia.
The 19 acers of ground the lighthouse is on is open to the public from May to September. The light keepers house is a Heritage property that is open during this time and has information about the history of the light the area and those in the area. There is also the option of a guided tour.