There is a light on the southern tip of Petit Ile Au Marteau to warn ships of the islands along the northern coast of the Jacques Cartier Strait. Although ships use more modern navigation methods today, there is a nostalgia for old light houses. This is a short summary of the life of this light house.
This is the garage that may not have had any maintenance since it was built in 1969. The Lightkeepers were no longer needed here after 1987 when many lighthouses were converted to non-manned lights. The roof looks newer.
Five lightkeepers have lived here with their families over the years since it was built in 1915 until it was decommissioned in 1987. There were also a few assistant families resident here over those years. There were three light houses over that time. The first had a residence and light built in one building. It was replaced in 1955 by the one still standing on the point. the third one, the steel skeleton, was built in 1976 when lighthouses were being automated.
In addition to a light keeper and an assistant, a teacher was hired to teach their children. Between 1934 and 1949 six teachers worked here. The classroom was set up in the workshop of the foghorn building. There were two terms, spring from April, May and June and fall, September October and November. The children went to school in the village for the winter term.
The foghorn building is the original built in 1917. It contained a diesel engine to drive a compressor to create the compressed for the air horn. In 1965 two generators were installed to provide lights for the new residence, garage and other on site buildings. In 1976 the foghorn was replaced by an electrically generated sound.
This short video was taken from near the residence [36].
