McKay Island Light
By Pat Peterson

In 1902, the first light at the Town of Bruce Mines, Ontario was a lantern which was placed on a wharf’s shed to guide ships into Bruce Mines new 1000 foot public wharf. It was a Anchor Lens lantern placed on the south corner of the warehouse. The light was white dioptic,  then red and had a visibility of 5 miles (8km). The fog horn was a hand pump. Thanks to Merritt Strum for saving this shed and having it moved to the Agricultural Grounds were it still stands today.

McKay Island had several owners, the Crown, Montreal Mining Company, Bruce Mines Copper Ltd., and Copper Mining and Smelting Co. of Ontario Ltd.

Indenture # 902 shows the lighthouse survey plans drawn by Mr. James S Dobie, Ontario Land Surveyor on June 3, 1905.

The lighthouse was built in 1907 by the Canadian federal government in response to an increase in marine traffic caused by the timber industry which had replaced the copper mining industry as the main commercial activity in Bruce Mines. On June 7, 1910 the deed from the Bruce Mines Copper Ltd. transferred title to the lighthouse covering 1 acre of land in deed # 903 registered on July 20,1910. to His Majesty George V for $25.00

At the east end of McKay Island, 2 miles (3.2 km.) from Bruce Mines the Lighthouse was constructed: a square wooden dwelling with a tower rising from the roof with a height of 32.8 feet (10 meters). The light was a fixed white dioptic coal vapour model with visibility of 9.3 miles (15 kms). The fog horn was a hand crank. The battery room was on the main floor. It contained 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 foot glass containers which had a white powdery residue along the glass wall. Today that room is a bedroom. There was a shed close to the water to store the boats, fuel and coal oil plus gallons of paint, white and battleship grey. The old boathouse foundation is still there.

The Keepers of the Light:
The main job for the Keepers of the Light was to keep the light well cleaned, fuelled and lighted and extinguished at the proper times.
1907 - 1913 - Joseph Harvey: he was a faithful servant of the light until his death

May 15,1915 - Apr.7, 1946: Angus James McNeish born on Apr.7,1881, was descended from a Cornish family

Apr. 7, 1946 - May 15, 1947: Merritt Strum born Jan. 28 1924 - MPP Lynn Miller approached Merritt a war veteran about the job. The salary was $2.14 per month and he tended light for 1 year, and then went to work for Noranda Mines in Quebec.

May 15,1947 - May 31,1953 : - Gordon Inch born Mar. 8,1917, OSA World War II Army veteran resigned May 31,1953

June1,1953 – Oct.1, 1955: Harold Wing born July 21, 1909. The waters were rough and the trips to the lighthouse by boat were dangerous. He would drop his wife Eva and 3 children off and they would walk the last half kilometre across the island and he would take the boat.

Modernization
In the 1960’s for cost reasons , the Canadian federal government decided to build a steel standard and tear down the deteriorating lighthouse. The windows were broken, birds had made their nests inside, but the light was still operational on a battery system. Harold Peterson persuaded the Government to sell him the lighthouse in 1967, as he was the owner of the rest of the Island.

The Canadian Coast Guard owns the square of land that presently holds the skeleton tower. The steel tower was erected June 9 -11, 1975. Mr. Rumley, from the Coast Guard, removed the light from the lighthouse and placed a white 4 second blinking light in the tower. The Coast Guard is responsible for its maintenance. Today it is a functioning skeleton tower guiding the freighters into Trap Rock and recreational boats into the Town marina. .

Harold and Fern Peterson who owned French Island and most of Mc Kay Island had put in a road from Highway 17 through the west end of Bruce Mines and onto French and Mc Kay Islands. Along with the road came hydro power lines. The federal government, in 1967, made arrangements with Harold Peterson to use his power poles so they could make the skeleton tower light electrically operated

Harold Peterson’s goal now was to save the lighthouse structure, and renovations began under directorship of Norman Beilhartz. Norman was a skilled carpenter, plumber and electrician. Along with his son James Beilhartz , together with James Gjos and Fred Gjos 2 brothers from Desbarats renovated the lighthouse. They handmade the cupboards out of pine. A water pressure system and septic system were also installed in 1971.

McKay Island today
Presently the lighthouse is under the care of the Peterson family operating as Bruce Bay Cottages and Lighthouse and is an all season self catering lighthouse offering a tranquil sanctuary. You can still climb the ladder to the “ widow’s walk” for an amazing panoramic view of the North Channel. Each season is unique.

The lighthouse is available as a rental cottage. The building contains 3 bedrooms, 2 double beds, 1 set of bunk beds and 1 pull out couch, for a maximum occupancy of 6 persons. For more information: www.brucebaycottages.com, or e-mail brucebaycottages@sympatico.ca or calling 705-785-3473 or 705-942-0416.

Click on images to enlarge

McKay Island today

1907, when the light was built
Photos courtesy Pat Peterson