As we get settled into our little cabin in Fordview, there’s lots of moving, fixing and cleaning to be done as with any seasonal spot at the beginning of the summer. I’ve been lucky enough to friends and family here to help and to share the tips and tricks that not even Google can reveal.
However, the small fixes sometimes grow larger and longer. Yesterday, as I emptied the soap bucket for the tenth time, Derek suggested that we take a break from the must and have lunch on the beach. Who could resist such a suggestion? A quick stop at the Co-Op and we followed the Margaree down to where she meets the ocean.
Yes, that’s Margaree Harbour Beach. The sand was as warm and delightful on the feet as you might imagine from the photograph. Watching the waves roll ashore in a lee created by the dunes, we feasted on sandwiches and sunshine.
Not pictured here are the two Margaree Harbour range lights. One lighthouse stands boldly above the drive to the beach and it’s twin sits further up the hill. The interesting and endearing fact about this pair of lighthouses is that that they are welcoming beacons. Whereas many lighthouses are warning lights, indicating to boats that there is danger along the coastline, this pair are used by seafarers to align themselves to a specific degree to safely guide themselves into Margaree Harbour. These lighthouses are one of the last pairs still operating today for local fishermen and they have been highlighting safe passage for the past 115 years.
On May 27, 2010, Fisheries and Oceans Canada declared approximately 480 active lighthouses and approximately 490 inactive lighthouses across Canada surplus to its needs, as navigational technology improves, automation and destaffing increases and beacon structure simplifies. However, under the new Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, “these properties can be transferred to new owners wishing to take advantage of their heritage designation or tourism potential”. The Margaree Harbour Heritage Lighthouses Group, formed by local citizens, has petitioned for heritage designation to Parks Canada, submitted a business plan to Fisheries and Oceans, and is expecting approval to ultimately receive the title and deeds to the property.
In anticipation of this transfer, the Group has submitted the Range Lights to the National Trust for Canada’s This Place Matters competition. Though the internal structure is sound, recladding and some maintenance is required, which for both lighthouses is expected to be between $35,000 to $40,000. As the Group notes, “for two gorgeous towers, [it] is a very reasonable investment indeed!” In the competition, you can vote daily for the Margaree Harbour Range Lights, where first place would award the Group $40,000. You can also financially support the restoration and maintenance of the lighthouses directly via this site.
As a part of history, local infrastructure and the stiking landscape, I encourage you to visit Margaree Harbour and be inspired to vote daily.