Rooted along the rugged shoreline of British Columbia’s west coast, lighthouses have long served as vital guardians of maritime safety. Scattered from the southern tip of Vancouver Island to the remote inlets of the northern coast, these iconic beacons have guided ships through treacherous waters, thick fog, and stormy seas for over a century. More than just navigational aids, these lighthouses are living symbols of the province’s maritime heritage, each with its own story of isolation, resilience, and human connection to the sea.
The Fisgard Lighthouse has the distinction of being the first permanent lighthouse in western Canada. It was built in 1860 and quickly became a lifesaver for countless local and foreign cargo and passenger ships that travelled the unforgiving seas of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Since the construction of the Fisgard Lighthouse, dozens more have been built up and down BC’s rugged coastline. Today 52 lighthouses still remain, with 27 of those are still staffed and operated by the Government of Canada. Please enjoy this collection of historic photos of lighthouses from around Vancouver and beyond.
For even more historical photo collections, please see these previous posts including Vintage Photographs from Vancouver’s Most Popular Beaches, Old Photographs of Coal Harbour, and Old Photographs from Granville Island.
The photos above were collected from the City of Vancouver Archives. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on their website. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from Vancouver, British Columbia, and across Western Canada. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
