The Brush Wharf Range Lights commenced operation at the same time as the Douse Point Range Lights. A tower that had formerly served as the Brush Wharf Lighthouse was relocated to serve as the Douse Point Rear Range Lighthouse, and two new towers were built to serve as the Brush Wharf Range. John McDonald started serving as keeper of the Brush Wharf Light on June 25, 1879 and was reassigned to the Douse Point Range Lights when they were established. Keeper McDonald served for over three decades, earning $70 annually. H. A. McDonald was the next keeper of the lights and was received a salary of $120 in 1924.

David Hunter grew up spending his summers in Orwell Cove and remembers walking down to the towers to light the lamps with Kenny MacLeod, the last keeper of the lights before they were electrified. The previous keeper had been Walter MacLeod, who Hunter remembers came down to the range lights with a cart pulled by an old horse wearing a straw hat with two holes cut in the brim for its ears.

The Douse Point Range Lights were converted to battery power in May, 1962, and a few years later power lines were extended to the point. The lights were decommissioned on March 9, 1984. David Hunter's father attempted to purchase the lights and move them to his property, but regulations wouldn't allow it as the two towers would be too close to their original position and might confuse mariners.

The lights were eventually purchased by the Boul family in the 1980s and relocated to Murray River, where the have gradually fallen into a state of disrepair.

Keepers: John McDonald (1899 – 1913), H.A. McDonald (1913 – ), Kenny MacLeod ( ), Walter MacLeod ( ).

References

1. Annual Report of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, various years.
2. "The “Lost” Lights of Orwell Cove," Kelly Anne Loughery, Lighthouse Digest, July, 2007.