The village of Pugwash lies on Northumberland Strait and takes its name from the native Mi'kmaq word “Pagweak,” meaning “Shallow Water,” which refers to a reef near the entrance to the harbour. As a crooked channel through flats of sand and weeds leads to Pugwash Harbour at the mouth of Pugwash River, pilotage was historically encouraged.

In 1857 and 1859, inhabitants of Pugwash petitioned the provincial government for a lighthouse at the entrance to their harbour, but it wouldn’t be until 1870, a few years after Confederation, that one was built. John B. Reed was granted a $1,195 contract to construct the lighthouse, which was built in a “school-house” or “church-house” design with a square tower rising from one end of the rectangular dwelling’s gabled-roof. Several lighthouses of this design were finished in Nova Scotia in 1871, including ones at Apple River, Ingonish Island, Main-à-Dieu, and East Ironbound Island. This style of lighthouse is not too common in Canada, but was frequently used in the United States. The first keeper appointed to mind the light was Rufus F. Bent, at an annual salary of $200.

In 1909 two sets of range lights were established to help guide mariners through the crooked channel that leads to Pugwash Harbour. Mr. L. Mury of West Arichat built the four towers under contract for $1,990, and the Department of Marine published the following Notice to Marines to advertise the activation of the new lights:

Two sets of range lights have been established by the Government of Canada in Pugwash Harbour, north coast of Nova Scotia, to lead into the harbour.

The lights are shown from enclosed wooden towers, square in plan, with sloping sides, painted white, surmounted by square wooden lanterns, the whole painted white. The lights are fixed white catoptric lights.

The front tower of the outer range, which will be known as Biglow Point Range, stands on the point ¼ mile eastward of Biglow Point, on land 31 feet above high-water mark.

The height of the tower from its base to the top of the ventilator on the lantern is 22 feet. The light is elevated 48 feet above high-water mark, and should be visible 12 miles in the line of range.

The back tower stands 1750 feet S. 8° 30’ W. from the front one. The height of the tower from its base to the top of the ventilator on the lantern is 33 feet. The light is elevated 73 feet above high-water mark, and should be visible 14 miles in the line of range.

The front tower of the inner range, which will be known as Steven Point Range, is located 1/6 mile northward of Steven Point, on the east side of the road near the shore, on land 14 feet above high-water mark.

The height of the tower from its base to the top of the ventilator on the lantern is 22 feet. The light is elevated 31 feet above high-water mark, and should be visible 2 miles in the line of range.

The back tower stands 1750 feet S. 70° 45’ E. from the front one. The height of the tower from its base to the top of the ventilator on the lantern is 22 feet. The light is elevated 91 feet above high-water mark, and should be visible 2 miles in the line of range.

The Biglow Point Range Lights in one, bearing S. 8° 30’ W., lead into Pugwash Road up to the intersection of their alignment with that of the Steven Point Range Lights, from which point the alignment of the Steven Point Range Lights leads up to the turn in the channel to the southward.

Earnest Mitchell was hired as the first keeper of Biglow Point Range Lights at an annual salary of $100, and Hugh C. Clark was paid the same amount to serve as keeper of Steven Point Range Lights.

The enclosed wooden towers remained in use through at least 1954, but they had been replaced by skeletal towers by 1977. In 2020, square skeletal towers were being used to display the four range lights. Biglow Point Range was using green lights, and Steven Point Range was using red lights.

Biglow Point Keepers: Earnest Mitchell (1909 – 1912), J.L. Peers (1912 – at least 1923).

Steven Point Keepers: Hugh C. Clark (1909 – 1912), D. Fullerton (1912 – at least 1923).

References

1. Annual Report of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, various years.

The modern lights can be seen from Route 6 west of Pugwash.

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