description Miscou Island Lighthouse Overview
Miscou Island Lighthouse is a wooden lighthouse built in 1856 and located on the northwestern tip of Miscou Island at the entrance to Chaleur Bay in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. The square-tapered tower stands approximately 25 meters tall and is painted with distinctive red and white horizontal bands, making it one of the most visually recognizable lighthouses on the Acadian coast. It was constructed to address the frequency of shipwrecks in the surrounding waters at the intersection of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Chaleur Bay.
The lighthouse was decommissioned as a manned station and now operates as a seasonal heritage site and visitor attraction.
help Miscou Island Lighthouse FAQ
When and why was Miscou Island Lighthouse built?
The Province of New Brunswick built it in 1856 to reduce shipping accidents at the southern entrance to Chaleur Bay. It served coastal traffic between the Atlantic provinces and Quebec. [Parks Canada](https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=189)
Is Miscou Island Lighthouse square or octagonal?
It is a tapered octagonal wooden tower, not a square tower. The original height was about 22.5 metres, and a 1903 extension raised it to about 24.3 metres. [Parks Canada](https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=189)
Was Miscou Island Lighthouse moved because of erosion?
Yes. In 1946 the lighthouse was moved 61 metres inland because shoreline erosion threatened its original position. The light remains automated and operational. [Parks Canada](https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=189)
Why is Miscou Island Lighthouse painted white with red trim?
The white exterior and red trim are part of the characteristic color scheme used for maritime aids to navigation. The lighthouse was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1974. [Parks Canada heritage record](https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=189)
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