Thames River Lighthouse

The Thames River Lighthouse was constructed by the Oartier family in 1818 after a frame predecessor at the river mouth was destroyed by fire in the latter years of the War of 1812. It became an enduring landmark and began a dynasty of Oartier family lighthouse keepers that lasted 150 years, ending only with the death of William “Dick” Oartier in 1950. The lighthouse became the property of the Federal Government in 1837 and continued in use until 1966, when it was replaced by an automatic light. The structure was obtained by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority through a grant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on November 6, 1972, and was subsequently restored.

Ontario · Canada