Blockhouse Lighthouse designated a national heritage site
After standing as a beacon for safe passage into Charlottetown Harbour for almost 150 years, the Blockhouse Lighthouse has been recognized under the federal Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
Built in 1876, Blockhouse is the second oldest lighthouse on P.E.I. It is the Island's largest, including not just the 12.8-metre light tower but also an attached, two-story lightkeeper's residence.
Ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the Abegweit First Nation in the spring. That and the heritage designation are a culmination of years of planning, and work got started on the building right away.
"There's a lot of repair work that needs to be done, a lot of restoration work," said Tyler Gould, director of economic development for Abegweit First Nation.
Work began on the lighthouse almost immediately after ownership was transferred. (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)
Abegweit has a reserve in the area, and Rocky Point was a gathering place for Mi'kmaq for centuries, said Gould. The band had already acquired about five hectares of property adjacent to the building.
"It just made sense for Abegweit to raise our hand and say we have an interest in the lighthouse," he said.
"The lighthouse and the area adjacent to it, it's prime real estate. Stunning views of the ocean, and we're keen to incorporate the lighthouse into our plans for the entire site."
Those plans are not yet entirely settled.
Abegweit First Nation sees tourism potential for the site, with the possibility of accommodations in a new building nearby. In the building itself Gould foresees some rooms for overnight accommodation, and perhaps a meeting space.
"We also want to make sure that the lighthouse isn't booked up entirely for private use," he said.
"We want to make sure that it's publicly available during certain times of the week or certain times of the year, because that's important too, to maintain and share its history."
