Nottawasaga Lighthouse: Years of Neglect
By Sue Clark on Dec 6, 2007 in The Light Side 
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The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario recently heard a presentation by Jim Kilgour, a retired schoolteacher who has been involved with the town’s Harbourlands Committee about the deteriorating Nottawasaga Lighthouse, in Collingwood Ontario. Half a million dollars (CDN) has been spent already in studies on how to keep it standing until a full restoration can be done.
Yes, it is in that bad of shape, with an estimate of $4.5 million CDN to fully repair it. Besides the obvious paint peeling off the sides, the lighthouse needs a full restoration of the outer walls, from the ground up. The lighthouse, built in the 1850s, has been struck by lightning numerous times. On December 1, 2004, a full thirty percent of the northeast outer wall fell to the ground.
Kilgour says he wants the Collingwood Council to ask the Federal government for at least $4 million and then the other half million can be raised locally.
Photo Credit:
Nottawasaga Lighthouse by sketchedoutahley.
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2 Comment(s)
By George R. Garrison on Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
Very interesting story, it’s too bad are governments are nit more responsible in taken care of our heritage.
By Sue Clark on Dec 10, 2007 | Reply
Hi George,
It’s so sad to see neglect like this. As you say, the governments built these, and as long as they are being used, there needs to be some money set aside for at least the basic maintenance. And this light is one of the Imperial Towers of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron).