Repair work begins at Port Burwell’s landmark Lake Erie lighthouse

Repair work begins at Port Burwells landmark Lake Erie lighthouse

Stabilization measures began this week on Port Burwell’s 1840-vintage wooden lighthouse – the oldest one on Lake Erie’s north shore – so badly in need of repair it was at risk of toppling over.

Work has begun to increase the stability of Port Burwell’s 1840-vintage wooden lighthouse – the oldest on Lake Erie’s north shore – that is at risk of toppling over.

The Municipality of Bayham shuttered the lighthouse Jan. 19 after an in-depth structural review of the octagonal building found significant deterioration in eight wooden columns.

The road leading to the public beach has been closed since, due to risk of the lighthouse toppling in high winds.

“With implementation of proper stabilization and a comprehensive restoration and conservation plan, we are confident of the future of the lighthouse,” said Thomas Thayer, Bayham’s chief administrator.

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The 183-year-old lighthouse hasn’t been used for navigation since 1963. Now a designated heritage property, it’s part of the Port Burwell Marine Museum and Historic Lighthouse tourist site.

Masons Fred Lee and Rob Lee of Stouffville’s Heritage Restoration Inc. began work on the lighthouse last Tuesday.

While they have worked on very old buildings before, including the Cayuga Courthouse and Steam Museum Hamilton, this is their first lighthouse.

“It’s different, I like it,” Fred Lee said of the restoration project

“The lighthouse is very cool,” added Rob Lee.

They expect work to improve the stability of the structure will be complete by the May 24 weekend, before the Lake Erie village’s beaches begin to fill up.

The lighthouse’s closest neighbour, Tracy Farmer, whose home is across the road, said it was a relief to see stabilization efforts begin.

“I didn’t really think it would have fallen on my house, it probably would have fallen the other way,” she said. “This is all about being cautious.

The $99,000 temporary stabilization measures include affixing a steel collar to “the lighthouse on the third level, with eight guy wires attached to eight helical piles, which will be embedded in the ground,” Thayer said.

<>” class=”embedded-image__image lazyload” src=”https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/lfpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LFP20230202MH023-scaled-e1675372911692.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&sig=-7NmBPq4TLBCDklmYFFLdA” srcset=”https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/lfpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LFP20230202MH023-scaled-e1675372911692.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&sig=-7NmBPq4TLBCDklmYFFLdA,<br />
https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/lfpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LFP20230202MH023-scaled-e1675372911692.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=576&sig=5F-h1KRlsEksjBIHaae7nA 2x” height=”679″ loading=”lazy” width=”1000″> </picture></figure><p>“Overall, the measures will stabilize the lighthouse from wind-loading and potential overturning,” he said.</p><p>Council awarded the work at a special meeting March 23, Thayer said.  More information will follow about a full restoration, whose cost has yet to be determined, to address structural deficiencies.</p><p>The octagonal lighthouse has eight wooden structural columns set in a concrete base.  Over time, water got in and caused the columns to deteriorate.  Some are 80 per cent compromised, says a report presented to Bayham councilors in February.</p><p>The 13.7-metre tower was restored in 1986, Thayer said earlier this year, but a white vinyl coating applied to its clapboard cladding about 2010 may have “sped up deterioration.”</p><p>A 2018 report to council recommended replacing the clapboard.</p><p data-async=HRivers@postmedia.

Twitter.com/HeatheratLFP

  1. Built in 1840, Port Burwell's lighthouse is the oldest existing wooden lighthouse on the north shore of Lake Erie.  The building is now surrounded by fencing since repairs are needed due to new and existing cracks growing in the foundation and moisture damage in the wood exterior.  Neighbor Tracy Farmer said the building needs to be kept since it's a wonderful tourist attraction, but needs to be repaired and maintained.  Mike Hensen/Postmedia

    Rotting 183-year-old Lake Erie lighthouse at risk of toppling: Officials

  2. Tyler Groat, 11, ties a keel to a rowboat Friday during a youth ship building project at the Periscope Playhouse in Port Burwell.  The week-long exercise, run by a community organization called Stem2Stern, introduces grade 5-8 students to woodworking skills by crafting boats.  (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

    Boat-building gives Port Burwell pupils experiential learning, confidence

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