Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site Jul. 4, 2024

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Perched on the rugged coastline of Esquimalt Harbour, the Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site is a specimen of maritime history. Built on Fisgard Island in 1860, it was the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. The 15-metre bricked tower guided mariners through the treacherous Strait of Juan de Fuca. Operated by generations of dedicated keepers, it became automated in 1929 after which its light beamed in a "one second on/one second off" pattern also known as isophase light. Visitors today can explore the keeper"s house-turned-museum to uncover tales of shipwrecks and the intrepid lightkeepers who kept the flame alight, ensuring the safe passage of seafarers. The Fisgard Lighthouse continues to illuminate the past, captivating those who come to uncover its storied legacy.

© davemantel/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

The grass looks greener on this side
An engineering marvel
Jul. 4, 2025Skipper butterfly on an Echinacea flower

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug. 21, 2025Wheatear, Peak District National Park, England
Oct. 21, 2025Happy Diwali!
Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
A peck between penguins
Feb. 4, 2025Golden Bridge, Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam
Sep. 13, 2025Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United States
May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Aug. 27, 2024Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
Sep. 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Jan. 3, 2025Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
Apr. 20, 2025Happy Easter!
Stepping back in time
Fly me to the moon
For Mother’s Day, we salute these marsupial moms
The sun sets on the Valley of the Moon
What are these colourful insects?
Nov. 19, 2025Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary
Jul. 7, 2025Northern gannets, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Oct. 8, 2024World Octopus Day
Jun. 10, 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan
Hot enough to howl
Oct. 26, 2025National Pumpkin Day
Mar. 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Where history comes alive
A triumphant pose
Celebrating the Scottish bard
Sep. 12, 2025World Dolphin Day
Apr. 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
Feb. 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland
The animal kingdoms great migration