Pigeon Island (Lake Ontario)

The Pigeon Island lighthouse, in 1907, illustrating the 'schoolhouse style' lighthouse.
Map drawn in 1870 showing the location of the Pigeon Island lighthouse

Pigeon Island is a small island, in Lake Ontario, near Kingston Ontario.[1] The island had been a navigational hazard since the founding of Kingston, Ontario.[2] A lighthouse was first built on Pigeon Island in 1870.

Vessels wrecked on or near the island, prior to the construction of the lighthouse, include: the General Brock wrecked in 1846; the Royal Susan, in 1853; the Governor in 1862; the Young America in 1863; and the Annexation in 1866.[2]

The island covers about 5 hectares (12 acres).[3] Shallow soil and bird guano cover a limestone base.

The island supports a large population of birds.[3]

The original lighthouse was the first built in what came to be known as the "schoolhouse style", where the lighthouse tower was integrated into the lightkeeper's cottage.[2] The current lighthouse is a steel frame.[4]

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