Overview:

Fisgard Lighthouse is located in Esquimalt Harbour, near Victoria, British Columbia, in Canada. It was built in 1860-1862 to guide ships travelling between British Columbia and the rest of Canada. It is the oldest operational lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. It is inactive and is part of Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. The light is still functional and is used as a navigational aid. Its beacon is visible for 17 nautical miles in clear weather. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Canada
Prominent Features:

Fisgard Lighthouse is a National Historic Site located in Esquimalt, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Built in 1860-1862, it was the first lighthouse on Canada's west coast. The original light was a third-order dioptric Fresnel lens, visible for 19 nautical miles, though its light has since been replaced with a modern beacon. This lighthouse stands at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour, which was a significant port during British Columbia’s early years. It is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the western hemisphere. The lighthouse features a thick rubblestone wall built to a height of 55 feet with a 2-foot diameter black cast iron lantern on top. The walls taper inwards at the top forming an octagonal shape. The lighthouse is surrounded by the decks and docks of the Canadian Navy Base HMCS Dockyard, making it a popular spot for tourists looking for a unique view of the harbor. The grounds include a historic Coxswain's shed, a statue of a figurehead, and interpretive signs describing the history of Fisgard Lighthouse. This national monument of Canada portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Fisgard Lighthouse was the first lighthouse constructed in British Columbia (BC). Located at the entrance of Esquimalt harbour on Fisgard Island, it was built by the British in 1860 to aid ships arriving from England with supplies, equipment, and personnel for the Royal Navy base at Esquimalt. The original lighthouse was a two storey wooden building, with an octagonal lantern. In 1862, the original wooden structure was replaced by a 24-metre tall, octagonal stone tower. A new lens was also installed in the upgraded building, which included a clockwork mechanism and an array of 13 intricate prisms, which flashed out a fixed beam 24 nautical miles away. The lighthouse designation was originally granted by the Hydrographic Office of the Royal Navy in London upon its completion and it was given the single letter call sign “F”. The current red and white stripes on the tower were added in 1918 when the lighthouse was converted to an oil-burning light source and fresh paint was applied to the exterior. Fisgard Lighthouse has been an active aid to navigation ever since it was built. It has fulfilled its primary purpose of providing a beacon of light to assist ships and other vessels entering and leaving Esquimalt Harbour. Additionally, it has also served as a symbol of British Columbia's history and maritime heritage. The lighthouse was declared a national historic site in 1924, and it remains an iconic building in the area today. You must visit one of these historical places in Canada on your Canada tour

Interesting facts:

1. Fisgard Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Canadian Pacific. It was built in 1860 by the British colony to help guide sailing vessels coming from Europe through the turbulent waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait. 2. The light from Fisgard Lighthouse is one of the few that still use an ancient flat-wick lamp and reflector system, and was the first lighthouse to be automated and use electricity in 1923. 3. Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse Garry Oaks National Historic Site in British Columbia. 4. Though declared a national historic site in 1958, Fisgard Lighthouse was still in active service through the 1970’s. 5. Fisgard Lighthouse is also an important seasonal migratory bird habitat. During Canada’s Migration Month, visitors are permitted onto the grounds to observe the different species of birds that call the area home. 6. The ghost of a past lighthouse keeper is said to still haunt the grounds of Fisgard Lighthouse. Locals believe that the ghost is a reflection of Captain Joseph Klaver, who served as the lighthouse’s keepers from 1865 to 1877. Visit one of the famous monuments of Canada with your friends and family.