The Friends of Head Harbour Lightstation(FHHL) have recently applied to have the lightstation property declared a provincial historic site.
This would be in addition to the federal recognition that the lighthouse has now via FHBRO. Right now the only other lighthouse in the province to have Provincial Historic Site status is the Miscou Island Lighthouse.

Also the 4th Anuual head Harbour Lighthouse Day was held last Saturday the 13th. Despite a smaller crowd than years previous the annual fund raiser was well attended and went off without a hitch on a sunny warm late summer day. The parade of boats around the light was cancelled though as Mackie Green who had organized the parade of boats was called away on a whale rescue mission. Thankfull the whale that was in distress from having fishing gear wrapped around its tail was successfully de-entangled.
there was also a CD launch by local musician Gary Cooke at the lighthouse day event. Unfortunately there wasn't a lighthouse cake served this year but instead lighthouse cookies with a whale on them were served instead.

Head Harbour LH In Dire Straits
Posted 05.20.2003, 6:00 PM ADT

It was sad to see just how badly the deterioration of the historic Head Harbour LH has progressed in recent years. This light was built in 1829 making it the oldest in the province and one of the oldest remaining wood towers left in Canada.

Just last year the province installed two new steel ladders leading down from the headland out to the lighthouse. In order to get upclose to the LH you have to cross over two small tidal beaches which means its accessible only at low tide. There are two small islets inbetween the Campobello and the LH island. The two small islets are connected by a small wooden bridge. There is also an old red ladder leading down from the last islet and then you cross over the slippery rockweed to get to the LH property. To say its challenging to get to this LH you would be correct! But what makes it even harder is that one of the new ladders installed by the province last year is partly broken. Something happened to it over the winter and part of it is now lying on the beach area. And the other new ladder is starting to rust and corrode around its bolt holes and on the steps. The old red ladder, the last one you cross down to cross the other tidal flat, has several steps missing making for a long step up.

This in effect is limiting access to the LH as before more people made the somewhat dangerous journey to get out and see the most famous Lighthouse in the province. But now only the most able bodied can make it out to see it. Its a shame access has been limited. A bridge out to the first islet is still in the plans but nothing has been done as of yet. A viewing platform could be built out there to accomodate people of all ages and not just the young and adventureous.

As well the buildings, including the lighthouse, are deteriorating rapidly. And its not just the paint, wooden is rotting at a phemonena rate, and the cement at the base of the lighthouse and on other buildings there are crumbling and falling off. This is not good as it could signify structural damage wihin this historic LH. From a distance it doesn't look that bad but when you get up close you can see just had bad it has gotten ever since it was de-commissioned. The Friends of Head Harbour did a good job with the boathouse although the windows are still boarded up. The rest of the lightstation though looks like a bomb hit it or something. the old boardwalk along the concrete wall has been torn up, it looks like a work in progress. There is only one window that has been boarded up but it has plexiglass covering it now.

Action to save this lighthouse must be taken immediately, it can't be done in a piece meal fashion, it has to be done all at once and ASAP or else we may lose this historic structure to the elements forever. The province needs to do a huge cash infusion here to save it. The tourism potential here is huge if only it was developed properly.

The refurbished boathouse at the LH
The second wrecked ladder, installed in Sept. 2002
Another pic of the same wrecked ladder
Part of the new ladder lying on the beach
The last ladder you climb down, two missing rungs
The last window covered in plexiglass
One of the old red ladders piled on the headland
The last intact new ladder
Another view of the the last intact ladder
Cement damage at the LH
More cement damage at front of LH 1
More cement damage at front of LH 2



Head Harbour LH Ghost?

Its now a little easier to get to the Head Harbour LH on Campobello Island now that the US has downgraded their terrorism alert from "High" - Orange to "Elevated" - Yellow. It means less questions and less hassle when going through the two customs checkpoints on the way to the island via Calais Maine. The quickest way to get across the border is to have a valid passport ready. It then takes an hour to drive thru Maine to Whiting ME, then take a left there to Lubec and cross over to the island via the FDR bridge.
The Head Harbour Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses in all of New Brunswick and has been featured in numerous print and television ads over the years. It is also the only LH in the province to have both"classified" and "recognized" FHBRO status. The province is interested in taking over this lighthouse in the near future and develop it into an eco-tourism destination.

Head Harbour Update

Posted 12.11.2002, 9:30 PM ADT

In addition to getting some new steps put in near the lighthouse(courtesy of DOT) the Friends of Head Harbour Light(FHHL) got the deeds to the two small islands from the province that you cross over to get to the islet that the lighthouse is actually on. The Federal government still owns the lighthouse and its expected the province will take over the lighthouse from the Feds in the coming years, during the next round of divestitures, and develop the property into a first class tourism destination. Its unknown what role the FHHL will play here once the province owns and runs the lightstation. See the News Archives for more recent news on the Head Harbour Light.

Head Harbour Update
Posted 09.19.2002, 4:15 PM ADT

The Friends of Head Harbour Lightstation received the deeds to the two small islands that the province purchased last month at the festivities that took place at the light last weekend. In attendance at the fundraiser was MLA Eric Allaby and MLA Tony Huntjens. Also announced at the fundraiser was plans to replace the old red rusty steel steps that leed down to the beach with new a new ladder by next year. It was in August when the Dept. of Transportation replaced one set ladder leeding up to the first small islet you have to cross over to get to the lightstation at low-tide. There are three steel ladders in total.
Approximately $2,500 was raised last Saturday for the further development of the historic Head Harbour Lightstation. The repair work on the boathouse is expected to be done next week as well according to the FHHL at a cost of $10,000.
The proposed Whale Rescue Centre plans and the two bridges that were supposed to be built out to the Lightstation so that access wouldn't be dependant apon the tides have been shelved.

Lighthouse Festivities at Head Harbour

Posted 09.17.2002, 10:15 AM ADT

The Head Harbour Lighthouse Festivities/Fundraiser was recently held last Saturday, September 14th. It was originally scheduled to be held on the 7th but was pushed back a week, possibly because of the tide schedule (access to the light is at low tide only). Despite sunny weather the turnout for the event was less than in previous years according to one e-mail report. At most a couple of hundred people were in attendance at the event and most were from the US which is too bad. This low turnout can partly be attributed to the events of 9/11 last year which has made crossing the border a lot slower and less easier to do than in previous years. Alss well the event was scheduled after the ferry stopped running from Deer to Campobello. This meant that Canadian visitors faced an extra hour plus drive to get to the island via US route 1 plus cross FOUR border crossings(+ delays)!

Hopefully next year the event will be re-scheduled for August when the ferry is still operating from Deer to Campo, that way there is the option for visitors who don't want to take the longer route via Maine(+ border crossings) to come enjoy the festivities.

A cake featuring the lighthouse was served as well as a barbecue was held to raise funds for the FHHL. Music was also provided by several local bands, an auction was held, face-painting for the kids, and a parade of boats around the light took place at 4 pm. Just recently a new set of stairs were built down the rocky cliff by DOT to allow for a safer visit to the lightstation at low tide. The province now owns the two small rocky islands you have to cross over to get to the island.

Province Installs New Steps At Head Harbour
Posted 09.05.2002, 1:00 PM ADT

The province(DOT - Dept. of Transportation) recentlyreplaced/fixed two new steel stairways leading out to the Head Harbour Lightstation. On was brand new and the other was rebuilt. The province also recently acquired title of the two small islets that you have to cross to get to the lighthouse. There is a small wooden bridge that connects the two small islands together, it's in relatively great shape. The province felt it was the right time to get rid of the old rusty unsafe ladders that have been there for many years. You can only access the lighthouse at low tide. The province took over the small islands to allow for public access to one of the most popular lighthouses in the province.

Fewer Visitors to Campobello-Head Harbour Light
Posted 08.23.2002, 11:01 AM ADT

A recent newspaper report has found that fewer people(20-50%) are crossing the border from Maine over to Campobello Island this summer. Most of this can be attributed to the events of last Sept. 11th as well as some mis-conceptions that you need a passport to enter Canada(not true). This means fewer people are seeing the famous Head Harbour Lightstation and spending money at island businesses. The drop almost all comes from US visitors who are choosing to stay closer to home this year.

Head Harbour Lightstation Development Stalled
Posted 08.14.2002

There was much fanfare and media attention back in 2000 when the Friends of Head Harbour Lightstation were formed to take over and develop the historic Head Harbour Lightstation into a prime tourism destination. Head Harbour is located on a small rocky islet off the northern tip of Campobello Island. A Whale Rescue Centre was planned to be built here as well as a series of footbridges that would have linked the scenic lightstation to Campobello so it could be enjoyed at high tide as well as at low. Presently you can only hike out to it at low tide which has raised safety issues over the years. The boathouse was supposed to be fixed up this year as well as other restoration work done to the light which was built in 1828 making it the oldest in New Brunswick. At present nothing has been done. Its unknown why there is a delay in development here, this project even has backing of the head of Coast Guard in the Maritimes, Larry Wilson, as well as the local community in addition to countless people in the rest of the province.

This is an important project that should be developed ASAP as each day it remains quasi-developed its more lost revenue for the community. The only thing that was done by the province was back when the Liberals were in power in the mid-90's, a large crushed rock parking lot was built and a few garbage cans installed. Since then nothing new has been done. The longer this is delayed the more people lose interest if there is no actual development taking place. If its a question of money surely the province can step in and contribute to this worthwhile endevour. If its a need for project development expertise the province also has lots of knowledge in that field and surely could lend some support to the group. Like the saying in the movie Field of Dreams goes, "If you build it, They will come." But instead of a baseball field in a field of corn its a lightstation tourism development project minus Kevin Costner.
Hmmm...but maybe Kevin Costner could help out here as well..... ;-)

Campobello Island:9/11 and Lighthouses
Posted 04.01.2002

After the recent terrorist attacks in New York last September the border procedures in place between Canada and the US has changed dramatically. What was once at most a 5-10 minute wait at customs can still stretch into hours according to some Campobello residents. For most of the year the only way to get to Campobello (and the Head Harbour Lightstation & Mulholland Point Light) is the FDR bridge from Lubec Maine.
That means if your in Canada, say in June before the seasonal ferry that operates from Deer to Campo starts, you will have to cross the border twice, once at Calais, travel thru Maine and then cross again at Lubec. That would make 4 customs stops in a roundtrip. With the new security procedures in place it could take an extra hour or two to cross over, especially during the busy summer season. In a recent press story in "The Telegraph Journal" some residents are calling Campo the new Alcatraz Island. For only a little over 3 months a year there is the option to take the small ferry from Campo to Deer Island, then over to the mainland. There is a push now on the island for a year round ferry to Deer island. This would greatly benefit tourism as well as not make the islanders feel so cut off from the rest of Canada.
The number of tourists visiting Campobello and the famous Head Harbour Light are expected to be smaller this year although exact numbers won't be known till the end of the year. After last Sept. 11th the number of tourists visiting Campo as well as the rest of Canada dropped dramatically and has yet to fully recover as more people choose to vacation close to home.

Head Harbour Update
Posted 04.12.2002

The FHHL are continuing in their mission to restore and develop the Head Harbour Lightstation into a first class tourism attraction. Last fall they started the work of restoring the 1947 boathouse that has been slowly falling into disrepair ever since the automation of the lightstation in 1986. They hope to finish the restoration work of the boat house later this year. The old keepers boat house was the building most in need of repair. The other buildings will be next on the agenda.

Head Harbour Publicity
Posted 03.25.2002

Campobello Island and the Head Harbour Lightstation were recently highlighted in a story by Samantha Grice in the March 23rd edition of the "National Post". In the story they refer to the lighthouse as "East Quoddy" instead of using the title "Head Harbour". You can read the story online by clicking here.
(new window will open)

Lighthouse Daymarks
Posted 01.03.2002

A question often asked is why do many lighthouses often have such unique daymarks(red stripes) on them while others do not? Unfortunately these daymarks are a dying tradition because of GPS and other modern navigational equipment making daymarks less and less important. Back in the 1800's and early 1900's mariners needed lighthouses to have distinctive "marks" on them so they could tell them apart, especially in bad weather or if they were unfamiliar with that particular section of the coastline. Daymarks like the red St. George Cross on the Head Harbour Lighthouse made the lighthouse somewhat easier to see in daylight but more importantly it was easily identifiable as the Head Harbour Light as no other one in the province(or in Maine or Nova Scotia) has a red cross on it.
This was also important where there was a heavy concentration of lighthouses in a particular area, such as in and around Passamaquoddy Bay. They had to make Head Harbour easily stand out from say Greens Point, West Quoddy, or the Southern Wolf Light. Back then there was no GPS or anything like that, visual clues as to a lighthouses identity was very important. The vertical red-striped Point Lepreau light is easily identifiable as Point Lepreau and no other. But as the 1960's came about many lighthouses were replaced with more maintenance free ones such as the ones at Great Duck or at Bliss Island. Lighthouses lost their daymarks and started to look very similiar to one another. If you look at a photo of some of the modern ones up close you may be hard pressed to tell them apart.

But this wasn't the case with the Saint John River lighthouses. They were more or less all square tower lights, of varying sizes, painted white with a red cuppola. Reason being was probably because of the smaller body of water and the knowledge that if you passed the Oak Point Light you knew the Hampstead Light was next on the left going upriver. Another reason may be that the captains of these steamers that plied these waters knew them fairly well and could tell the difference between the Gagetown Light and say The Cedars Light.


Mastercard Uses Lighthouse Image
Posted 08.16.2001

The Head Harbour lighthouse, located near Campobello island, is featured on the new Bank of Montreal Mastercard. The picture is a watershot of the lighthouse and a few of the outbuildings. For using the image of the lighthouse on the credit card they should really contribute to the fund set up by the "Friends of Head Harbour Lightstation". The group wants to set up an interpretive centre/museum at the lighthouse, built two bridges out to the light and set up a marine mammel rescue centre in nearby Head Harbour.

Head Harbour Light Ornament
Posted 08.31.2001

There is a neat(and detailed) ornament you can order from www.harbourlights.com of the Head Harbour Lightstation.

Head Harbour Designation
Posted 03.25.2001

The Head Harbour lighthouse, near Campobello island, has been designated a Classified Federal Heritage Building by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office. This does not apply to the outbuildings on the island though. The Minister of Canadian Heritage approves the designation. All federal buildings 40 years old or older for which alteration, demolition, or disposal are planned must be identified and referred to the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office for evaluation, in order to determine if the buildings have heritage value. Also to be evaluated are buildings 40 years old or older whose acquisition is being contemplated.
Go to the Federal Heritage Buildings for more information and a complete list.

Head Harbour On Cover Of Lighthouse Digest Magazine

The 2000 November issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine features a picture of the Head Harbour Lightstation and a story on the newly formed "Friends of Head Harbour" preservation group. For photos and several stories on Head Harbour go to my Head Harbour Lighthouse Day Story.

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