Lake of Two Mountains is part of the wide river delta of Ottawa River at its confluence with St. Lawrence River. The name of the lake refers to Calvaire Mountain and Saint-Joseph-du-Lac Hill, the two highest peaks of Mont Oka that is situated on the northern shore of the lake. Lake of Two Mountains has four outflows: Rivière des Mille Îles and Rivière des Prairies, bordering Île Jésus, and two branches of the Ottawa River, flowing into the St. Lawrence via Lake Saint-Louis, on either side of Île Perrot.

In 1875, the Department of Marine built a lighthouse on Pointe a Cadieux to help mariners navigate Lake of Two Mountains as described in its annual report for that year:

A new light-house has been constructed during the past season on the most easterly point of Ile a Cadieux, in the County of Vandreuil, in the Lake of Two Mountains, Ottawa River, and a light shown for the first time on the 18th of October last. This light is intended for the service of vessels navigating the Ottawa River and is a fixed white light on the catoptric principle, capable of being seen at a distance of eight or ten miles from all points of approach. The light-house is a square wooden building, painted white, with keeper’s dwelling attached. The further cost of this light-house will appear in the accounts for the year ending 30th June next. Mr. Felix Valois was appointed keeper of this light-house on the 8th of October last, at a salary of $200 per annum.

The total cost of constructing and equipping the lighthouse came to $1,840. The wooden lighthouse was topped by an iron lantern room that had a diameter of five-and-a-half feet. Three mammoth, flat-wick lamps on cast-iron stands were used inside reflectors to produce a fixed white light.

Keeper Valois served as keeper until 1892 and during that time his salary never increased. Octave Beaulieu took charge of the light from Valois and served for just over a decade. Simeon Poirier was keeper from 1904 until 1920.

In 1911, a 240° degree, sixth order lens replaced the catoptric lighting apparatus that had been used up until that time. In 1918, an Aladdin lamp was installed as the illuminating apparatus, and then in 1921 a Pintsch light was placed in the lantern room, allowing for the light to be automated.

In 1935, Pointe a Cadieux Lighthouse was rebuilt in the form of two circular towers topped by lanterns. The light was deactivated in 1996.

Keepers: Felix Valois (1875 – 1892), Octave Beaulieu (1892 – 1903), Simeon Poirier (1904 – 1920), R. Poirier (1920 – 1921).

References

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

No light exists on the point today.

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