Lighthouse of the LaHave Islands

Moshers Island Lighthouse

The main lighthouse on the LaHave Islands was located on Moshers Island. It has been in operation since 1868 and is still in use today. The first lighthouse on Moshers Island had a fixed red light that could be seen for 8 miles.

Members of the Mosher family ran the lighthouse from its construction in 1868 until 1961 when Melvin Tanner from West Ironbound Island replaced Edward Marshall Mosher. In 1966, the lighthouse became “unwatched” and Ingram Wolfe became the caretaker of the light until 1991.

The old Mosher’s Island lighthouse was replaced in 1989 with a new, more modern building. The new light is a round fiberglass tower that shows a white light 24 hours a day.

West Ironbound Lighthouse

The West Ironbound Island lighthouse began operation on January 14, 1855. It would flash for 10 seconds and then be dark for 30 seconds after that. The first keeper of the lighthouse was B. Farquar, but he was replaced after a year. Enos Wolfe took over being the first of several members of the Wolfe family to perform the job.

Ingram Wofle was a descendant of Enos Wolfe and after the West Ironbound Island light was made into an automatic light, he became the keeper of the Mosher’s Island lighthouse until he retired in 1991.

Raymond Weagle and Andy Cyril Publicover were both appointed temporary light keepers, but they remained for some time, with Mr. Weagle serving for eight years and Mr. Publicover working there for two years. During this period, there were two light keepers with Melvin Tanner and W.G. Hupman serving at the same time.

In 1987 the lighthouse was replaced with a modern automated shore light. This lighthouse is solar powered, charging its battery in the day and showing a white flashing light at night.

Fort Point Lighthouse

Also known as the “LaHave Light”, the lighthouse at Fort Point was constructed in 1875. Its first keeper was William Palmer but he passed away after only two years of service. His son, Howard, took over for his father in April of 1878 and on May 22 he was officially appointed the new light keeper. Howard would serve as light keeper for 57 years, retiring at the age of 76.

H. Richards was appointed light keeper after serving time in the Navy, and his replacement, Dawson Wilkie was called for military service in 1941 to serve in the Second World War. Dawson’s wife Effie Mae took over responsibilities as the light keeper.

The LaHave Lighthouse was a red light visible for 8 miles. It was a square wooden building painted white. The light was made of one round wick lamp and accompanied by three flat wick lamps. Reflectors were used to help these flames be more visible at night.

An automatic light was eventually installed and the dwelling reserved for the light keepers family was offered for sale in 1964. It now houses the Fort Point Museum, which opened in 1972. The light in the lighthouse was eventually removed but the building still stands as a tourist attraction with the museum.