| The Cape Bear Lighthouse was constructed in 1881 and is located near Beach Point on the southeastern tip of Prince Edward Island. This coastal Lighthouse, which aided the development of the fishing industry on the southeast shore, overlooks the Northumberland Strait on the southeast shore. In clear weather, its light can be seen for up to 14 miles.
The wooden, tapered Lighthouse is 12.4 m (40.7 ft) in height from base to vane and is square in design. It was built by John Whalen.
Abraham Daly was light keeper at the Cape Bear Lighthouse from 1887 until 1896. Ewart A. Keeping was the lightkecper from 1926 — 1959.
The shingled Lighthouse gives the impression of being a taller tower then it actually is because of the vertical alignment of its tall, gabled windows and door on three storeys. The towers cornice is classically inspired. The cornerboards were removed in 1891. A light keeper's dwelling was once attached to the tower but was removed in 1960. In 1898, the dwelling was enlarged by 21'. In 1947, both the Lighthouse and the dwelling were moved because of eroding cliffs. A barn built around 1906 was removed in 1954. An oil house built before 1939 was removed in 1959.
The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station was built adjacent to the Lighthouse around 1906. The Station was one of seven established and put into operation by the Department of Marine and Fisheries in 1905-06. Its principal purpose was to communicate with the ice-breaking government operated steamers, Stanley and Minto, which linked Pictou, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown and Georgetown, Prince Edward Island. The station operated until 1922. It was at this station that Thomas Bartlett first received the distress signal from the Titanic as it was sinking off the coast of Newfoundland.
During the Second World War, the Cape Bear Lighthouse proved useful for spotting German U-boats that neared the coast. Several were seen along the shore but disappeared while being tracked.
The Cape Bear Lighthouse is now a lighthouse and museum that can be visited by the public. To locate the Cape Bear Lighthouse and Museum, follow route 18 on The King's Byway to reach Cape Bear. At a sharp bend in the paved road, turn off onto the dirt road. Go down to the second lane on the right. You'll find the lighthouse in the woods.
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