Local residents had rigged a portable lamp on a makeshift stage at the Cape. Prior to the portable lamp, bonfires were kept burning all night to warn mariners of the dangerous ledge. The tower was built by plans prepared the Hon. Alex Anderson for the cost of $5,198. A year later, a cottage for the light keeper was built for $750.

The North Cape Lighthouse is an octagonal, wooden tower which is 19.53 m (62 ft.) in height from base to vane with a focal height of 23.70 m. Its flash pattern is flash 1 sec., eclipse 4 sec. It is similar in overall design and proportion to one of its "Sister Lights", Seacow Head. The Lighthouse has four floors with three flights of stairs curving upwards to reach the tower room at the top.

Upon entering Confederation, the Department of Marine and Fisheries took an assessment of all Island lighthouses. During this assessment. North Cape was singled out as "one of the most important light stations on the Island."

The North Cape Lighthouse station was originally comprised of the tower, built in 1865, and a small light keepers' cottage built in the following year. Sometime between 1890 and 1913, a small wood shed was built toward the cliff edge. In 1945, the cliff had eroded to a point where the tower needed to be moved. The approval to move the tower was given in 1949 and the work was completed on March 8 , 1951 by Neil MacDonald and D. O'Leary for $4,785.

Also during this time, a new dwelling was built in the new location as the previous dwelling was unsafe to live in due to its closeness to the eroded cliff. The dwelling was so close that there were times when the freezing slush and ice around the dwelling required the light keeper to chop his way out. The old dwelling became a storage shed and along with the wood shed and the tower was moved back 400 feet from the original site. In total, the Lighthouse has been moved six times due to erosion. In 1968, the 1950 dwelling and two sheds were disposed of. The appearance of the Lighthouse has remained virtually unchanged since it was constructed. One of the only changes to occur was when the Lighthouse's lower-most window was removed and ground level vents were inserted on four of its eight faces in 1990.

The first keeper of North Cape Lighthouse was a MacDonald. The second light keeper was James Patty M^cPhee of Norway, Prince Edward Island. Patrick Hogan served as keeper in 1873. In 1879, Louis MacDonald resigned and Peter K. Perry took over as light keeper. Augustus Hackett served from 1880 to 1900. Dougal Mc Carthy acted as light keeper for twenty years. In 1928, Mark Gaudet manned the light. He resigned in 1931 when his^wife died. Leo Shea than manned the light and was succeeded by Wilfred Brennan. Pierce Morrissey was hired as light keeper in 1940 and he retired in 1956. Basel Spearce of Cape Breton then became the next light keeper. The light became electrified in 1962 and automated in 1967.

Many legends and tales are associated with the North Cape Lighthouse. One tale is about a light keeper that was not so nice. This particular light keeper is noted to have cared more for property than for lives. Mariners sometimes told of no light being lit on this northern point and of how ships had to struggle past the long dangerous reef. As for the ships that didn't make it over the reef, the keeper salvaged their possessions for himself and no one knew till years later. However, the keeper's time also came to an end and the light shone again on the northern point.

Tales of buried treasure of North Cape also exist. It was believed that when ships were wrecked on the reef that the sailors of that ship would come ashore to bury their treasures. As we all know, when a treasure is buried, something is usually put on top of the treasure to mark the spot so when the crew returns, they will know where to dig. A Hawbush, the only one on the Island, was planted long ago close to the northern tip and is said to mark the spot where pirate gold is buried. Many holes were dug in search of this treasure. The Hawbush went over the bank some years ago due to eroding cliffs and the treasure has never been found.

Another interesting tale is about a steel chest filled with gold that was dropped in four or five fathoms of water from a French frigate that was wrecked off the cape as it made its way to the garrison in Quebec to pay them. Many fishermen have reported seeing the chest over the years but after turning around to get a better look haven't been able to locate the chest. One fisherman is reported to have brought the chest to the surface when it became entangled in the back lines. The chest, however, slipped away before the fisherman could move the chest aboard.

Visitors can enjoy the Wind and Reef Restaurant and Gift Shop,the Wind Energy Interpretive Centre, the Atlantic Wind Test Site and the Black Marsh Nature Walk.

To locate the North Cape Lighthouse, make your way to western Prince Edward Island. Take Route 2 to Tignish and turn off onto Route 12, Lady Slipper Drive. The lighthouse is located on the extreme northwestern tip of Prince Edward Island. The lighthouse is fenced in with the communication tower for safety reasons.

There is a program called Tip to Tip sponsored by yhe Department of Tourism. Visitors can pick up a ribbon at the Gift Shop at either North Cape or East Point and upon showing it at the other location, can receive an attractive certificate and fill in a ballot for some really great prizes!