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Wilmot Bluff, NB |
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Description:
Another example of the original Saint John lighthouses built in 1869, Wilmot Bluff Lighthouse was in operation for 98 years before it was discontinued due to obstruction from trees. Today it is not visible from the water, and indeed it is hard to believe that it is still in its original location.
Clarence Gillies was the last keeper of the light and served from 1949 to 1967. When the lighthouse was decommissioned, he expressed an interest in purchasing it, however the government favored having the tower moved. In June of 1969, the lighthouse was instead sold for $604 to Gillies' son-in-law, B. Napier Simpson, who planned to cut it into three sections and move it to Ontario. This plan proved too costly, and after six months the government threatened legal action as the agreement had been to either remove the lighthouse or reduce its height by 15’ so as not to confuse mariners (this amounted to removal of the lantern). Mrs. Gillies, whose husband Clarence had unfortunately passed away by this time, was very upset by the thought of the lighthouse being demolished or blemished so in the end the government agreed to let the lighthouse remain where it was. Napier signed ownership of the tower over to his mother-in-law who in turn signed it over to her son Gerald. In February of 1970, the Superintendent of Lights inspected the property and agreed that Gerald Gillies could in fact keep the lighthouse intact at its original location if it were maintained in good condition. Ironically by this time the new skeletal tower that had replaced the lighthouse was already declared surplus as well. Gerald and his wife Jo have maintained the lighthouse in a reasonable manner doing a bit of maintenance work each year. While some sections of the tower may be in need of paint, the grounds surrounding the light are always maintained in a park-like manner. References
Location: Located on the west bank of the Saint John River, near the Fredericton Airport. Latitude: 45.8694 Longitude: -66.5106 For a larger map of Wilmot Bluff Lighthouse, click the lighthouse in the above map or get a map from: Mapquest. Travel Instructions: Take the Nevers Road Exit (#297) off the Trans-Canada Highway and go north on Nevers Road until it ends at Route 102. Make a right onto Route 102 and continue past the Fredericton Airport. When the road makes a sharp 90° curve to the right continue straight ahead onto Thatch Road. The lighthouse will be on your left shortly after you leave Route 102. The tower is on private property but can be viewed from the top of the driveway. The lighthouse is privately owned. Grounds/tower closed. Find the closest hotels to Wilmot Bluff Lighthouse See our List of Lighthouses in New Brunswick Canada |
