Point Abino Lighthouse

September 16, 2012

The Point Abino Lighthouse was declared surplus by the federal government, and is now owned by the Town of Fort Erie, which offers twice-monthly tours, June through September (in 2012, at least). The next and final tour of the year is Sept. 22. Public access is not limited to tours. But getting to the site requires passing through a gated community on a private road, so it's not just a walk in the park. Access is officially limited to between May and Labor Day, generally between 9 or 10 am and 6 pm, depending on the day of the week. Visitors park at an entry office, where they are informed of the rules of access and asked to sign a paper acknowledging them. They are then handed a "walking pass" which is to be worn around the neck. Visitors are permitted to walk down one road only (no detouring) to the lighthouse, and are asked to go no further than the federal plaque. Though the lighthouse is town property, the land to it is not. You will be terribly tempted to walk the lovely pathway to the light and see it close-up. Dares make life such fun! Residents walk to it freely, and town tours escort you. You may encounter a cantankerous 'greeter' at the office. On a recent visit, he accused a would-be visitor of concealing his identity as a geocacher (he wasn't). Apparently there's a word on the federal plaque which is used to prove one visited the site. The greeter was livid about these visits, pulling out copies of geocaching rules he said were being violated; threatening to sue the club; threatening to have Parks Canada remove the plaque, etc. Welcome to Point Abino! Don't be put off by him in your quest to see the lighthouse, however. But do arrive within the posted hours (check ahead). I arrived past 6 pm after a long drive, with plenty of daylight remaining, and was told to return the following day, resulting in an unexpected overnight stay in St. Catharines, and an additional round-trip drive of 100 km. Point Abino is a historic cottage community, now containing substantial summer and year-round homes, some of architectural interest. Many, if not most, are owned by U.S. folks originally from nearby New York. (The Buffalo skyline is clearly visible to the east.) Some are retired, and "summer" here, wintering in warmer climes. Flags of both countries fly from several properties, though many fail to place Canada's in the proper place of honour, to the left side. Point Abino Lighthouse was featured in a select collection of cast miniatures issued by the Danbury Mint. Though it's a national historic site, it's no longer federal property, so legal protection under the 2010 Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act does not apply to it. -Wayne