Situated on a peninsula bounded on the north by the Cardigan River and on the south by the Brudenell River that is joined by the Montague River, the town of Georgetown is also known as Three Rivers. To help guide vessels into the Cardigan River, the largest of the three rivers, a lighthouse was established on a point just upstream from the ferry wharf and below Morrison’s Beach.

The Cardigan River Lighthouse is a square, wooden, white tower standing 9.8 metres (32 feet) tall and originally exhibited a fixed light at a focal plane of 13.1 metres (43 feet) above high water. The light, which was first exhibited on September 1, 1883, appeared green seaward and white to the northeast. When vessels coming from the south saw the green light turn to white, they knew they could safely anchor in Cardigan Bay.

Early view of Cardigan River Lighthouse Photograph courtesy Library and Archives Canada

R. Campbell was paid $125 for land for the tower, and George Whiteman received a $330 contract to construct the lighthouse. The land surrounding the lighthouse was part of a land grant to the Morrison family in 1834 from King William IV of England. Margaret(Morrison) Lindsay was in possession of the land when it was purchased for the lighthouse.

Angus Morrison was the first keeper of the lighthouse and earned an annual salary of $100. John D. Morrison was appointed keeper on August 15, 1901.

In 1926, the Cardigan River Lighthouse started serving as a rear range light when a beacon was installed atop a mast on the ferry wharf to serve as its companion front range light. These range lights served until 1967, when the rear light was converted to a directional light, and the front light was discontinued. John D. Morrison, Jr. served as the final keeper of the light until August 1965, at which time the light was automated, and his role was changed to that of a caretaker. This change in responsibility saw his annual salary go from $550 to just $60.

Fearing that the youngsters using the decommissioned Cardigan River Lighthouse as a party place might accidentally set it afire, Paul and Rosemary Batchilder purchased the tower in the 1980s from Crown Assets and then moved it roughly 305 metres (1000 feet) from its former home on the point to its current location. The tower was placed on skids and a bulldozer was used to tow it along the shore. Things were progressing well until the bulldozer veered into the muck and a second bulldozer had to be brought in to extract the first one.

As a child, Rosemary Batchilder used to accompany Joyce Fogarty, a niece of Keeper John Morrison, to the tower and watch him light the kerosene lamp. In 2009, the Batchilders gifted the tower to one of their daughters, who plans to convert it into a cottage for personal use.

Keepers: Angus Morrison (1883 – 1901), John D. Morrison (1901 – 1935), Philip Morrison (1936 – 1940), John D. Morrison, Jr. (1940 – 1965).

References

1. The Nautical Magazine for 1883, Volume LII.
2. Annual Report of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, various years.
3. Personal communication with Rosemary Batchilder.

From Route 4 in Poole’s Corner, travel east on Georgetown Road (Route 3) towards Georgetown for 8.8 km (5.5 miles) and then turn left onto Morrison’s Beach Road and drive 1.8 km (1.1 miles) to its end. Cardigan River Lighthouse is located on the grounds of Four Season Cottages.

The lighthouse is owned by Four Season Cottages. Grounds open, tower closed.

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