Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse

History

The completion of the Welland Canal in 1829 brought more ships onto Lake Erie, and the Government of Upper Canada built this lighthouse at the southern tip of Bois Blanc Island, where the Detroit River opens into the lake.^[2,3] Parks Canada's designations date it to 1836 and describe it as the third lighthouse built on Lake Erie.^[3,4] The designer is not known; the construction contract went to John Cook of Detroit.^[2]

The tower is a tapered circle about 12 metres (40 feet) tall, with a rubble-stone core faced in limestone, a corbelled stone cornice and a stone stairway inside lit by three windows.^[5,3] It is an early example of the 'imperial tower' type common on the Great Lakes from the 1830s to the 1860s, and stone was a costly choice at the time.^[4,3]

On January 8, 1838, during the Upper Canada Rebellion, rebels and their American supporters landed on the island from the seized schooner Anne, forcing out the small military guard and the keeper's family. They camped by the lighthouse until the Anne ran aground near Amherstburg the next day and the militia captured those aboard.^[5,3] Afterwards the British built blockhouses on the island as part of Fort Malden's defences.^[5]

The Hackett family kept the light for three generations, from 1836 to 1924.^[2,4] A 1954 fire destroyed the lantern, the light was decommissioned in the late 1950s, and Parks Canada has owned the tower since 1961.^[2,6] The site became a National Historic Site in 1955 and a heritage lighthouse in 2015.^[5,7] Parks Canada says access is limited and suggests viewing it from the Amherstburg shore.^[8]

How to see it

View from shore Best seen from a public park, beach or pier nearby.

Best public viewpoint

From the shore of the Detroit River in Amherstburg, where Parks Canada suggests standing to see the lighthouse; site access on the island is limited and the tower is closed.^[8]

Tower climbs

No public tower climbs have been offered, as far as our sources show.

Operator

Parks Canada (Fort Malden National Historic Site)

Last verified

Last verified 2026-10

Access details last verified 2026-10. Hours, tours and ownership change. Check the operator before you go. Pier and breakwater lights can be dangerous in wind and waves; obey posted closures and never enter private or Coast Guard property.

Questions people ask

Can you visit the Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse?

Access is limited. Parks Canada says public access to the site is limited and the tower is closed; it suggests seeing the lighthouse from the Detroit River shore in Amherstburg.

Why is Bois Blanc Island called Boblo?

According to the Lighthouse Directory, 'Boblo' is a corruption of the French 'Bois Blanc', meaning white wood, a reference to birch trees on the island.

What happened at the lighthouse in 1838?

During the Upper Canada Rebellion, rebels and their American supporters landed on the island on January 8, 1838, forced out the guard and the keeper's family, and camped near the lighthouse until they were driven off.