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

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.

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.