Visitor interest in the historic Chantry Island Lighthouse and Keeper’s Home has been climbing for years – and this summer, the Marine Heritage Society (MHS) has just welcomed its 30,000th guest from across Canada and around the world.
The milestone visitor is Marilyn Pope of Acton, Ontario, accompanied by her sister and niece from Brampton. They joined one of MHS’s daily guided tours to Chantry Island, a two-hour experience that showcases some of the marine history and natural beauty of the Bruce coast.
After checking in at the Southampton Harbour Tour Base, Marilyn enjoyed a three-part journey that included:
- A 20-minute boat ride offering insights into 1800s trade and commerce on the Great Lakes, over fifty shipwrecks along the shore, and the ‘Long Dock,’ which once stretched from the mainland to Chantry Island to create the former “Harbour of Refuge.”
- On the island, Marilyn toured the fully restored 1800s Keeper’s Cottage, learned about the protected bird sanctuary, and climbed the 100+ steps of the Imperial Tower – an impressive feat of 19th-century engineering that still provides breathtaking views of Lake Huron and the Bruce County shoreline.
For larger view, click on image
- The return journey included information about a grounded sailing ship from the War of 1812 era and a sailor’s view of two working 1903 Range Lights, which still help guide fishers and pleasure sailors back into safe harbour, even in this age of GPS.
When docking back in Southampton and discovering she was the 30,000th tour passenger to the island, Marilyn was surprised and later quipped, “It’s worth the boat ride to Chantry Island!” riffing on a past ad phrase, “It’s worth the drive to Acton” that used to promote her own town and a former leather goods store.
Marilyn also shared that she’d been a little nervous about her knees making the climb up the lighthouse, but that stopping on every level for the guide to provide information about 1800s life on the island made the ascent easy enough.
The boatload of visitors – including others from Kitchener and Owen Sound – were met back at Southampton Harbour by dignitaries from the Town of Saugeen Shores and dozens of MHS volunteers, who were applauding and waving Chantry Island flags. They presented Marilyn with a giant ‘Tour Ticket #30,000’ memento and other gifts representing the area.
Reflecting later on the milestone, the Mayor of Saugeen Shores, Luke Charbonneau, who is also the Warden of Bruce County, said: “It’s wonderful that so many visitors can walk in the footsteps of past lighthouse keepers and their families. This isn’t just an 1800’s history lesson – it’s a very personal experience to sense the effort and resilience it took to keep the light burning and protect mariners. Congratulations to the Marine Heritage Society for welcoming such an impressive number of passengers. And it’s meaningful that guest number 30,000 is from here in Ontario, as the Great Lakes are vital to our province’s history, economy, and identity.”
From 1859 to 1954, the Chantry Island Lighthouse helped guide cargo and passengers safely around one of Lake Huron’s most dangerous stretches. Lighthouse keepers and their families lived in isolation, maintaining the oil-fired Fresnel lens to guide mariners. After the light was electrified in 1954, the Keeper’s Home was abandoned and fell into disrepair.
In 1997, the Marine Heritage Society (then the Propeller Club) took on the ambitious task of restoring the Keeper’s Cottage and surrounding property, completing the project in 2001. Since then, the Society has offered tours while restoring additional local landmarks.
Marine Heritage Society Chair Wayne Kaufman was among the volunteers to welcome Marilyn back to shore and later said: “Wow – 30,000 visitors. The lighthouse is a real focal point for connecting people across distance and decades of time. It’s thanks to this amazing group of volunteers. They really make history come alive.”
About the Marine Heritage Society: Founded in 1992, the Marine Heritage Society (then Propeller Club) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving local marine history through restoration projects and public events. In addition to restoring the 1850s Chantry Island Keeper’s Home, the Society has refurbished the 1903 Saugeen River Range Lights and, most recently, the 1890s Kayoshk boat in partnership with the BCM&CC, where it is now on display.
MHS coordinates the Chantry Island Guided Tours, the Friday Artisans & Tastes Market, and produces the popular Marine Heritage Festival, engaging thousands more each summer.
Working in collaboration with the Town of Saugeen Shores and other local partners, MHS volunteers help make Saugeen Shores and Bruce County an extraordinary place to live, learn, work, and explore.
For More Information, visit: https://chantryisland.com/
