 The original lighthouse for the Burlington canal was constructed of wood in the year 1838. As most lighthouses were made of wood in the early 1800's. A lighthouse keeper was hired on to maintain the lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper's other responsabilties were to work hand in hand with the ferryman. The lighthouse keeper's house can still be seen by the old lighthouse beside the canal. The only flaw to the lighthouse being made of wood, it was not a good combination for the pier too was made of wood. On numerious occassions both the ferryman and the lighthouse keeper had to rip off pieces of the pier and throw them into the canal because they had caught fire from the steam ships that passed through the canal which sometimes had a spray of hot embers that strayed onto the pier. The original lighthouse met its fate on July 18, 1856. A steamship named the Ranger came through the canal when all of a sudden sparks from the ship strayed and caused a major fire that destroyed the lighthouse. The fire also took out the ferry and a nearby log house that were all in the same vicinity. After the fire a temporary lighthouse was built, until a more permanent structure could be constructed in 1858.  A Mr John Brown was hired to construct the new lighthouse on the south bank of the canal in the year 1858. Materials that were used was that of white dolomite limestone that was several feet thick at some points. The lighthouse was five stories high. The lighthouse one sees today matches the ones built on Christian island, Georgian Bay, north-west of Midland.  Once the exterior of the lighthouse was finished the spiral staircase was installed, then the lantern room was added with a light. During this time era whale oil was used to fuel the light. However John Brown had his own way of doing things and he used coal oil to run the light. This new trend became a preferred energy source. This angered many whalers since it threatened their livelyhood. The light house was maintained without any major repairs until the year 1958 when a big electrical storm swept the area. Heavy rains fell on the region and the lighthouse believed to be invulnerable sustained a lot of water damage. The water had penetrated the lighthouse, damaging not only its structure but the lantern too. The winter took its toll on the lighthouse in keeping the lantern lit. In a journal kept by the lighthouse keeper named "George Thompson" he wrote, "I had much trouble in warming the coal oil in the pier and lighthouse. I (Thompson) wrapped the oil lamps all round with flannel and rope yarn. I was wearing mittens with the earflaps of cap down. I kept the large lighthouse burning but the coal oil partially froze".  In 1961 the lighthouse was replaced with a more modern beacon located at the end of the south pier. The new lighthouse stands 90 ft. high at the end of the pier and runs on electricity. The beam of light that it produces can be seen for 15 miles. The old lighthouse ceased operations in 1968 which marked the end of the lighthouse keeper at the Burlington Canal.  The lighthouse was never torn down because the cost of such a project would be too expensive, so the lighthouse at the canal can be enjoyed by everyone who passes it. Every time I see this lighthouse I cannot help but wonder if the spirits of those that manned the lighthouse are still around performing their duties to watch over the Burlington Canal.  For those who walk the pier and pass the Main Lighthouse, most are unaware of the paranormal presence that lingers both at the canal and the lighthouse. The history of this site is intense to say the least. I sometimes wonder, do those that visit the canal ever stop to think of all the history that surrounds the area?  This used to be the Light house keepers home. It is now used as a storage place... Time has taken its toll on the lighthouse keeper's home.  A front shot of the old homestead. Oh the stories this old house could tell if only it could talk.  Standing tall and erect in the twilight of the evening the lighthouse gives an eerie effect, yet it gives one a sense of mystery behind the building.  As darkness fell I took alot of photos around the lighthouse and mainly got nothing at first. But in this shot managed to capture some ecto mist with a lot of energy to it.  After taking some more photos I got some orb activity to the lighthouse. After getting this picture I was hoping to get the orbs to manifest themselves into ecto mist. Main Lighthouse Page 2     |