Ile Lebel is a long and narrow island located in St. Lawrence River at Repentigny. In 1914, the Department of Marine activated five pairs of range lights to mark Repentigny Channel between Lavaltrie and Repentigny: Mousseau Range, Bouchard Peninsula Range, St. Sulpice Traverse Range, St. Sulpice Course Range, and Ile Lebel Range.

A Notice to Mariners published in 1914 provided the following information on Ile Lebel Range:

Front light – A fixed white catoptric light of 900 candlepower, visible 5 miles in the line of range, exhibited 31 feet above the summer level of the river from a skeleton steel tower 32 feet high, square in plan, with sloping sides, surmounted by an octagonal lantern, tower red, lantern white, with red roof, erected on a square concrete pier 4 feet high at low-water mark on the southern side of Ile Lebel, 2,180 feet 87° 15' from Repentigny Church.

Rear light – A fixed white catoptric light of 900 candlepower, visible 5 miles in the line of range, exhibited 49 feet above the summer level of the river from a skeleton steel tower 49 feet high, square in plan, with sloping sides, with square slatwork on the upper portion of the side facing the channel and a shed at the base, tower red, slats and shed white, with red roof, erected on a square concrete pier 4 feet high in shoal water southward of Ile Lebel, 2,163 feet 218° 50' from the front light.

Directions —These lights in line lead up from the intersection of their alignment with that of the St. Sulpice Course Range Lights to Repentigny Curve.

J.D. Weir superintended the erection of the steel, skeletal towers and the installation of catoptric illuminating apparatus. The cost for this work was $1,859.

J.O. Lachapelle was hired as the first keeper of the front range light while Eloi Thouin was hired as the first keeper of the rear range light. Both men were still in charge of the lights a decade later.

Ile Lebel Range was active through at least 1960, but all that remains of the structures today are the two concrete piers that served as the foundation for the towers.

Telesphore Thouin purchased Ile Lebel in 1920 and had the channel that separated the island from the mainland filled in so resorts could be more easily developed on the island. The City of Repentigny expropriated the island around 1985 for the establishment of a wastewater treatment plant. In 1992, Ile Lebel Park was opened to provide space for both winter and summer activities.

Keepers:

• Front: J. O. Lachapelle (1914 – at least 1923).
• Rear: Eloi Thouin (1914 – at least 1923).

References

1. Annual Report of the Department of Marine, various years.

No lights exist at this location today, but the concrete piers that served as the foundation of the range lights can be seen from the park.

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