After we made an unplanned visit to Prince Edward Island from New Brunswick, which of course is permitted for meanderers, we took a drive to West Point Lighthouse which is an unusual lighthouse with black and white stripes amidst gray skies. It is the tallest Lighthouse in P.E.I. at 67’8”, made of cedar shingles painted black and white. It stands where the waters from the waters from the Northumberland Strait meet the waters of Egmont Bay.

This was the first lighthouse built by the Federal government of Canada in P.E.I. after confederation. It was built in 1875 and put into service in the following year. The original stripes were red and white but apparently black and white stands out better as offering more contrast, and the color black does not fade as fast as red. Who knew?

In 2020 a big storm caused severe damage to the trees, dunes and the boardwalk swept away from the front of the Lighthouse. Life in a lighthouse is never without its challenges. A protective seawall was built in 2011.

It opened on July 1, 1984 as Canada’s only Inn in an active Coast Guard Lighthouse.  In 1987 extensive renovations were made and a large dining room and kitchen were added and 6 bedrooms were created in a new wing on the northwest side of the light tower.  Needless to say, I would have loved to stay there. I wish I had known about that. I have stayed at lighthouses a few times and each was a bit of an adventure. Someday I must related those stories.  In 2009 to 2020 further renovations moved the rooms to the Harbourside Centre. After that there were a total of thirteen rooms. It is now a four-star inn. Wow I must go back.