StanleyParkVan.com - Everything you need to know about visiting Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada!
The Brockton Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the north east corner of Stanley Park.
A lighthouse was first built here in 1890. This current lighthouse was built in 1914 and operated up until 2005. Read more about the history of this lighthouse below.
There are fabulous views of North Vancouver and Burrard Inlet from the plaza in front of the light house. The Stanley Park Seawall walking path goes around the perimeter of the lighthouse.
There is a small parking lot in front of the lighthouse.
The plaque says:
With this plaque, pioneers of the Canadian Merchant Service Guild honour seafarers and those who created and developed Port of Vancouver
1972
The Sign says:
Beacon of Maritime Safety
During its heyday, the Brockton Point Lighthouse played a key role in guiding ships safely in and out of Coal Harbour
Early Warning System
The first Brockton Point lighthouse, built in 1890, alerted ships to shore-related dangers and warned them of impending storms. The lighthouse keeper was busy: he had to run the fog bell, keep the lanterns lit, fire the Nine O'Clock Gun, and hoist signals up the storm warning mast 182 metre off of Brockton Point. A wicker cone was hoisted up the mast if a westerly gale was forecasted and a wicker "pot" was added for a heavy gale warning. Decommissioned in 2005, the lighthouse no longer serves as a formal aid to navigation.
Beyond The Call of Duty
During his tenure as lighthouse keeper, Davy Jones rescued many people within the harbour. In 1907, the Canadian government awarded Jones a gold medal for his rescue efforts. Jones lived in a cottage on the lawn across Park Drive until 1930, where he used his excellent gardening skills to raise flowers for the Military Hospitals Commission during the First World War. The cottage was torn down during the 1950s after the light's automation was the onset of modern ship navigation ended the need for a keeper.
The lighthouse was planned with a boathouse at its base, but strong tides made this impractical. The boathouse was then built to its eastern side, with a metal door as access.
In 1859, Francis Brockton, a senior engineer on the HMS Plumper, found a vein of coal in what is now Coal Harbour. In honour of this discovery, the ship's captain named Brockton Point after him.
Marine Life at your Doorstep
Imagine working as a lighthouse keeper in Stanley Park when many marine mammals used these waters. Before industry dominated Burrard Inlet, you would have seen killer and pilot whales, porpoises, dolphins, California sea lions and harbour seals regularly swimming by, and perhaps a humpback whale. Today, you may see harbour seals and river otters, with rare sightings of killer whales and sea lions.
The plaque says:
The Stanley Park Seawall/Brockton Point Light House Rehabilitaion was completed with funding contributions from Canada's Economic Action Plan and the City of Vancouver.
The Brockton Point Lighthouse is located on Stanley Park Drive at Brockton Point.
To get there take the Georgia Street entrance into Stanley Park. Turn right at the traffic cirle onto Stanley Park Drive. Continue on Stanley Park Drive until you reach the lighthouse.
There is a small parking lot right in front of the Brockton Point Lighthouse. For more detailed information (rates, times, etc.) about parking in Stanley Park, please read: Parking in Stanley Park
To get there take the Georgia Street entrance into Stanley Park. Turn right at the traffic cirle onto Stanley Park Drive. Continue on Stanley Park Drive until you reach the lighthouse.