Port George Lighthouse.

A light has guided mariners to shelter since the first wharf was built at Port George in the 1880's. First, there was a temporary light, presumably a "pole light" - a kerosene lantern hung on a pole near the wharf. When the East wharf was constructed in 1889, the first "real" lighthouse was built on the end of the wharf. The fixed red light was lit by kerosene. Each evening the lighthouse keeper cleaned the shade, trimmed the wick and lit the lamp. In the morning he would have to return to the building to blow out the light. The kerosene was brought by a large boat which anchored offshore and lowered a smaller boat to bring in several 45 gallon drums of kerosene. These were stored in the lighthouse for future use.

From 1860 to 1875 much of the trade for the Annapolis Valley was shipped into Port George. The surrounding villages were prosperous. Ship building was very successful and fishing was a lucrative occupation. Later, the building of the railway and other economic factors changed the industrial life of the villages but one thing was constant - the shining beacon of the lighthouse.

In the 1930's, the East wharf deteriorated, and the lighthouse was moved up by the roadside early in that decade. An article in The Mirror, of April 1975, stated that "during a storm which destroyed the remainder of the East wharf, the men who lived in and around the Port managed to haul the lighthouse out of danger to a place along side the Shore Road."

When electricity arrived at the shore, the kerosene lamp was replaced. Now a sensor electric bulb ensures that the light shines from dusk until dawn.

Location:Edge of bank, opposite shore end of pier Standing:This light is still standing. Operating:This light is operational Automated:All operating lights in Nova Scotia are automated. Date Automated:Automated by 1993 Began:1888 Year Lit:1888 Structure Type:Square wood tower, white Light Characteristic:Fixed Red (1992) Tower Height:025ft feet high. Light Height:027ft feet above water level.

Information from: www.nslps.com/index.aspx