Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior
Office - 212 Miles Street E. Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

Thanks to Superior Shores Gaming Association for continuing to support Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior. Funds received from slot machines helps to offset costs associated with capital work carried out by CLLS.

Thank you to North Shore Puzzles for raising funds for the lighthouse group! From the proceeds of selling Thunder Bay Main Puzzles a donation of $269 was received. These funds will help us to provided more amenities and services at our lighthouse islands! ... If you would like to check out North Shore Puzzles please go to https://northshorepuzzles.ca/

Two mining shafts can be seen here that go down to a depth of 1,200 feet. Three years after the Silver Islet mine began operations, Porphyry Island light was built. Guiding traffic to and from the mine site. Today the lighthouse still helps boats navigate the area. Back in 1870 when the mine started operation, it was to see over $3.5 million worth of silver being processed, that pushed up the stock prices on the New York Exchange. In todays value it was a haul of $60 Million. Photo credit J.Wilson 2020

What discoveries are you looking to make this summer? Have you had an on-the-water Lake Superior experience? If not consider a visit to one of our Lighthouses.

Porphyry Island Keeper's Dwelling.

This summer these citizen scientist took on recording weather data, creating a living inventory of Porphyry Island and collecting sea glass! Learn about the sea glass and how it is being repurposed.

Christmas is coming! https://canadian-lighthouses-of-lake-superior.square.site/

Thanks to John Ongaro for taking this picture as it respects what an icon this light has become. The Thunder Bay Main Lighthouse is seen on the break water in the Port of Thunder Bay.

Purchase a tour voucher and receive a Porphyry Island 'self-isolation' porcelain mug for free. https://canadian-lighthouses-of-lake-superior-inc.square.si Tour Porphyry Island Lighthouse, learn about the history and see the panoramic views from the light. Experience a lighthouse lunch and memorable moments as you witness the turquoise waters of Lake Superior and the Black Sands Beach. Redeem your charter trip in 2021 by booking with CLLS. ... Your tour leaves in the morning and upon arrival at the lighthouse you will receive a 1.5hr tour of the site which will includes lunch. After your tour you will be able to walk the beach and collect sea glass or take in the many views the island offers. Later in the afternoon the tour boat will return you to your starting point. Tours operate from June to September 2021 on one of our weekly charters from Silver Islet. If Thunder Bay is your departure point of choice, extra charges will apply.

It's with thanks to our funders, supporter that we can continue to bring you services, education and destinations on Lake Superior. Recently OLG eGaming has provided CLLS with funds to help with our mandate and connecting people to these resources. THANK YOU!

Many years ago, 1975 to be exact, the Graham family left their mark on this isolated Island, just near the feet of the Sleeping Giant. Seen left in the concrete base of the lighthouse's washing line can be seen the families scribe. The light built in 1923 was due to the steam ship Theano that was wrecked here in 1906. The Fresnel lens in the concrete tower is a second order lens and can be seen from Passage Island in the American waters.

In the 1950's prior to the removal of the old wooden Pt. Porphyry Lighthouse, Charles the lightkeeper, his daughter Charleen and son Brian pose. The family lived for several years at the site managing the light, collected firewood to stay warm, fishing often and raised hens for eggs. A sense of self preservation was necessary as town was 25 miles away and landing on the mainland meant waiting for good weather. The family still has ties to the lighthouse today and recently helped with a small museum display telling part of their story of adventure on Lake Superior.

Bear arrives at the lighthouse point to raid the garden!

Read todays Chronicle Journal Newspaper about this photo taken by Donny Wabasse 2020

Read today's Chronicle Journal Newspaper about this photo taken by Donny Wabasse 2020

Repost- This photo is from the old beach, near the graveyard where the original boathouse used to stand. The original boathouse was smaller than the boathouse that now stands down at the docks. The winch would help draw the vessels out of the water and up the beach for winter storage or to remove boats from inclement weather conditions. We will be sharing more about this at a later date, stay tuned.

Two (2) tickets left for tomorrows charter to Porphry Island from Silver Islet. Ticket $100 includes, charter trip, lighthouse tour, lunch with the keeper and visit to the Black Sands Beach. Departs at 10am. Returns by 3:30pm

Come for a lighthouse lunch this Saturday and see some Monarchs and learn about the lighthouse preservation taking place. Vessel leaves Silver Islet at 10am and returns at 3:30. Tickets are available at clls.ca under menu item 'book now' select Sat. Sept. 12, Silver Islet Charter.

Ocean Wise participants on a field trip to Porphyry Island. Including ; making your own necklace from recycled sea glass,a tour of the forest, and a delicious lunch prepared by CLLS volunteers.

Monarch Butterflies have returned in numbers and can be seen fluttering around the site! They came a week later than last year maybe because of the weather weve been having.

Family fun on the island as Lala plays hides and seek in the woods and her brother surfs at the fire pit. The night winds down with rainbow flames in the fire.

Wicked winds and weather come our way!

Walleye Magazine features this week a photo essay from Natalie Vibert, pick up your copy from Thunder Bay newstands. Thanks to the Walleye Magazine for featuring the life of a host light keeper family.

First celebration of the annual migration of butterflys and also our first corn roast, suggested by Eve Graham former light keeper. The lighthouse carnival created an atmosphere of community sharing and celebration. Thanks to our sponsors volunteers and communtity members!

Vic miller pulls out the stops to make food distribution point and kitchen.

With the help of many hands, the corn has arrived for tomorrows roast, including fish & chips, salads and cheese cake for desert. Archies Charters is ready to take passengers to the event tomorrow morning including some special guests!

A thank you this week goes out to the Chronicle Journal who publish weekly 'Lighthouse Dispatches'. Aug. 25, 2020

Tickets SOLD OUT for Lighthouse Carnival Charter on Saturday August 29, 2020Tickets SOLD OUT for Lighthouse Carnival Charter on Saturday August 29, 2020

Six round-trip tickets from Silver Islet, still available to attend this weekends Lighthouse Carnival at Porphyry Island, featuring: Horseshoe Toss, lighthouse tours and film, corn roast, fish & chips, salad and desert, entertainment by the Scott Van Teeffelen Band all for $100. clls.ca 'book now'.

Two years ago a visitor spotted two otters crossing the path to the light station. This year with the EcoSuperior/ OceanBridge program taking place our two citizen scientist managed to snap a picture in the pond thats in the middle of the island (see areal images posted last week for where the pond is located) Image c 2020 Kelsey Herglotz

A thank you this week goes out to the Chronicle Journal who publish weekly Lighthouse Dispatches. Aug. 25, 2020

A storm cell passes overhead.

More visitors keep coming and wearing our new self-isolating t-shirts!

Barrel shaped clouds move from the north to the south over Porphyry tonight.

If youre a boater and interested in coming to the Lighthouse Carnival, Aug. 29, here provided are some further details on anchorages close by as dock is already filled with volunteer and organizers. (Please navigate using Coast Guard Charts for navigation) If you dont have a boat and want to come on our charter from Silver Islet Dock -limited seats available - please go to clls.ca book now. https://clls.ca/wp-admin/post.php?post=4989&action=edit

If you're a boater and interested in coming to the Lighthouse Carnival, Aug. 29, here provided are some further details on anchorages close by as dock is already filled with volunteer and organizers. (Please navigate using Coast Guard Charts for navigation) If you don't have a boat and want to come on our charter from Silver Islet Dock -limited seats available - please go to clls.ca 'book now'. https://clls.ca/wp-admin/post.php?post=4989&action=edit

The Hintikka Family enjoying their Host Keeper experience.

Parks Canada interpretive team and Karen Jones Consulting visited the island yesterday for an island tour of Trowbridge and Porphyry Island.

Heavy winds at 35 km at pt. Porphyry!

Meeting and greeting a book club while readying three guest house for visitors.

Portable fog alarm scares off Master Hansen.

Lighthouse Carnival A new event to the lighthouse roster this year is the lighthouse carnival taking place on August 29. This fundraising event features corn on the cob entertainment, lighthouse tour and film and a ecological exhibit. The event is limited to 60 people and will follow Heath Canada Guidelines regarding outdoor activities.... Tickets are $50 per person and includes above activities. As there is extra boating traffic, it is suggested that Walkers Channel and Edward Island will be available for additional mooring. Entertainment is with the Scott Van Teeffelen Band and will perform during the days activities. The film showing in the gallery will features the Graham family of lightkeepers and a CBC production of their stay at the lighthouse in 1980. Corn on the Cob, french fries and other items will be added. The BBQ will be available for doing your own thing. EcoSuperior and Ocean Bridge Direct Action program will be sharing their data and experience in the Porphyry Island Provincial Park Nature Reserve. Lighthouse tours will be scheduled for new visitors to the island at the point. Monarch Butterflies are hoping to attend prior to leaving for Mexico. Thanks to our sponsors supporters, volunteers. https://clls.ca/butterfly-rendezvous/

Pt. Porphyry awash with waves and sun. #DreamON

From the Porphyry Island boathouse as dinner is served! Chef Tony works his magic. #DreamON c. 2020 J Ongaro

Kayakers pass the point on their way to Rossport with Zack Kruzins and S.A.N.D. Expeditions.

A sailing ship came sailing by . . . at Porphyry light today. #DreamON

A nice summers day ends, with a cool breeze and a fluttering flag. #DreamON

Investigating the Porphyry Island Provincial Park Nature Reserve - Donnys Beach

Yesterday the lighthouse group received guests from EcoSuperior, who are stakeholders in a project with OceanBridge. The work undertaken was to facilitate and organize data collection of the environment and included meteorologist Graham Saunders!