Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

Built in 2003 at the waterfront the Chapple lighthouse recognizes a time before the railway when most of our settlers and supplies arrived by steamers that came from Rat Portage (Kenora), across Lake of the Woods and up the Rainy River. It was built according to blueprints provided to us by the Canadian Coast Guard and bricks in the base come from the Barwick Hotel and before that from Dobie #4 block school built in 1912, so these blocks have a long history in Chapple as well.

The project was written up in Lighthouse Digest, issue February-March 2004. Researcher Michel Forand says “a number of navigational lights were established on the river. These were post and mast lights that can’t be classified as lighthouses. As far as he’s been able to tell there’s never been a true lighthouse on the Rainy River – until now, that is.

The project, sponsored by the Chapple Heritage Committee, was completed and official lighting ceremony was held in September 2003. The light shines from dusk to dawn. As the plaques show, donors to the project ‘bought a brick’ in honor of a friend or in memory of a loved one. The names go on small gold plaques on the model at the museum. This an ongoing project and if you would like to purchase a plaque the cost is $35.00. You can contact the Chapple Heritage Committee at P. O. Box 54, Barwick, ON P0W 1A0 or the Chapple Township Office.