Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse — Attraction in Brighton

The lighthouse is situated on the eastern point of the peninsula, formerly known as Gibson's Point. The engineer, Nichol Hugh Baird, designed a 69 foot octagonal stone tower tapering to a pronounced flare at the top with a molded cornice. The Gothic doorway added to its stately appearance. Originally an 8-sided lantern house (cupola) was perched at the top

The lighthouse keeper's cottage was originally single storey. Later a second storey was added, and then removed when the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre was created.

William Swetman Sr. was Presqu'ile's first lighthouse keeper, from 1840 to his death in 1871 at 86 years of age. His grandson followed in his footsteps as keeper of the light. Other keepers followed, often augmenting their meager income with apple growing and livestock rearing on the federal preserve acreage associated with the lighthouse. Photo: Sue Careless

Due to a poor choice in building stone, the outside of the lighthouse started to crumble with exposure to the elements. In 1894, it was sheathed in a wood frame and then covered with cedar shakes. The light was converted to electricity from oil in 1935 and the attractive top cupola was removed by 1965 giving the lighthouse its current profile.

The 1907 Canadian list of Lights and Fog Signals indicated the establishment of the fog station at Presqu'ile. It was located close by the lighthouse and the foundations can still be seen by the path from the Interpretive Centre to the lighthouse. The diaphonic alarm produced a blast of six seconds every minute during foggy weather and could easily be heard beyond Brighton over 3 miles away. It was discontinued in 1934 due to a lack of...

The Presqu’ile Lighthouse is a beautiful and peaceful highlight of the park—definitely worth the visit if you're anywhere near the area.

Set right along the shoreline in Presqu’ile Provincial Park, it’s the second oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Ontario and full of quiet charm and history.

The setting is really picturesque, with views of the water, forest trails nearby, and plenty of space to walk around and explore. There’s a small interpretive centre beside it that shares the story of the lighthouse and shipwrecks in the area, which adds a really interesting historical layer to the visit. Even if you're not a history buff, it gives you a real appreciation for how important the lighthouse was to sailors navigating these waters.

What I loved most was how peaceful it felt. Unlike the busier areas of the park, the lighthouse section tends to be quieter, so it’s a nice spot to sit, take photos, or just enjoy the breeze off the lake. If you're visiting in the spring or fall, it's also a great area for birdwatching.

Whether you’re hiking the nearby trails or just stopping in while touring the park, the Presqu’ile Lighthouse is a must-see. It’s simple, historic, and beautifully located—an ideal stop for a calm moment...

I had a fantastic time at Presqu'ile, enjoying the soft sand, shallow clear waters, biking, hiking, and swimming. The highlight was visiting the lighthouse museum, where I learned about the tragic story of the ship Speedy. The ship Speedy was a schooner that tragically sank in 1804 while on a mission to transport the accused killer of a settler, along with a judge, lawyer, and other officials, to Presqu'ile (near present-day Brighton, Ontario) for a trial. During its journey, the Speedy encountered a severe storm and was lost, along with all 20 passengers and crew on board. The wreck of the Speedy has never been found, making it one of the notable maritime tragedies in Canadian history. The museum was filled with so much history, and uncovering the story of the Speedy was both a moving and...