Before the Lions Gate Bridge soared. Before Stanley Park bustled with activity. Prospect Point Lighthouse stood sentinel. A silent guardian. Watching over the First Narrows of Burrard Inlet.
Prospect Point Lighthouse. Its story began not in 1914 with the elegant tower we see today. No. Much earlier. In 1888 a light was established to guide ships into Vancouver’s growing harbour. The dense forest of Stanley Park however. Obscured the light from outbound vessels. A problem needing a solution.
This led to a rather ingenious workaround. Two kilometers east at Brockton Point. A rudimentary light of red and white lanterns was mounted on a mast. This marked the sharp turn for ships leaving the harbour. It also guided those entering Coal Harbour. Ingenious wasn’t it?
Captain William D Jones a fiery Welshman. He became the first keeper of the Brockton Point light. Initially. He lived in a humble cottage. Built from driftwood he collected from the shore. Attached to the bell tower. His life wasn’t always about lamps and lanterns. He became a rescuer too. Pulling many from the dangerous waters. Nine times he saved lives.
He also tended exquisite gardens. A floral sundial a masterpiece. Twelve feet in diameter. Its hours marked by colourful flowers. He even used them to raise money. For the Returned Soldiers Club. His proceeds exceeded his lighthouse keeper’s salary. Quite the entrepreneur!
In 1914. The Brockton Point Lighthouse got a spectacular upgrade. Colonel William Anderson designed the 35-foot tower. Supported by graceful arches. Visitors still walk beneath them. Prospect Point Lighthouse continues to shine its light. A beacon of history. A testament to a tenacious keeper. A symbol of Vancouver’s rich maritime past. A timeless landmark.
The lighthouse continues to be managed by the Vancouver Parks and Recreation Board. A fitting end for such a captivating story. Isn’t it?