Bear River Lighthouse

Protected by the Heritage Lighthouse Preservation Act (2015) and the Municipal Heritage Act (2023)

Owned by the Municipality of the District of Digby and operated by Smith’s Cove Historical Society

Bear River Lighthouse c. 1995 © Chris Mills	Bear River Lighthouse c. 2023                 Credit: Smith's Cove Historical Society
This lighthouse is a lovely example of what a community group can do when its role as an aid to navigation is done.  In 2021 the Smith's Cove Historical Society signed a lease with the Municipality of Digby to care for the lighthouse.  In eight months they had raised $80,000 and developed a five year plan to develop the lighthouse site as a park open to the public.  In two years this group had achieved their goal!

  BEAR RIVER - Light Details

• Location: On Winchester Point, western entrance to Bear River
• Standing: This light is still standing.
• Operating: This light is no longer operating.
• Date Automated: Automated by 1973
• Began: 1905
• Year Lit: 1905
• Structure Type: Tapered square wood tower, white
• Light Characteristic: Fixed Red (1992)
• Tower Height: 032ft feet high.
• Light Height: 072ft feet above water level.

History Items for This Lighthouse

• 1922 - 1941 - 7th order dioptric lens, 7m (1922 only)
• 1941 - 1960 - height down from 72 - 69 feet - 1963 - alteration of some form
• 1973 - automated by this date
• 1992 - 7th order dioptric lens, electric lantern

Bear River Lighthouse Locator Map

Go to Google Maps and type: "Smith's Cove Lighthouse Park Parking"     Follow instructions to get there from your current position.    A seven minute walk from the parking lot takes you to the lighthouse.