Honouring a Beacon of Georgian Bay
There are projects that challenge our technical skill, and there are projects that remind us why we build. Our recent work at the Pointe Au Baril Range Front Lighthouse was proudly both.
Accessible only by water and standing resilient since 1889, this cherished landmark has guided vessels through Georgian Bay for more than 135 years. Being trusted to help protect it was a responsibility our team at The Gonneau Building Group did not take lightly.
“When you step onto that rock and look back at the lighthouse against the sky, you feel the weight of its history. Our job was to strengthen it without changing the story it tells.”
A Lighthouse Rooted in Heritage
The Pointe Au Baril Lighthouse was constructed in the late 1880s as part of a national effort to improve commercial navigation across the Great Lakes It replaced a rudimentary beacon and quickly became essential to ships navigating the channels and shoals of Georgian Bay. With its square–tapered wooden tower, hexagonal lantern, and integrated keeper’s dwelling, it is a classic example of Canadian lighthouse design from that era.
Today, the lighthouse is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building. It continues to house automatic coastal and range lights and welcomes visitors as a seasonal museum and local landmark — a cultural and visual anchor for Pointe Au Baril.
Craftsmanship with Care
Our role focused on protecting the building envelope in a way that honoured this history. We completed exterior caulking at vulnerable roof and siding locations, reinforcing the lighthouse against wind, driving rain, and freeze–thaw cycles. At every step, the priority was to quietly strengthen the structure while preserving its familiar profile, proportions, and character.
Safety on the Waterfront
Working at heights on a steep, exposed waterfront structure demands disciplined safety practices. Our team followed strict fall protection procedures and ladder safety protocols, supported by constant communication and planning.
Working With, Not Against, Nature
The lighthouse rises directly from a rocky cape ringed with natural vegetation. Reaching work areas meant threading ladders over rock and through shrubs, always choosing access routes that respected the landscape. Our philosophy is simple: preserve the building, and preserve the place around it too
A Living Piece of Muskoka History
Beyond its technical and architectural significance, the Pointe Au Baril Lighthouse is a symbol of community identity. It appears in tourism literature, local stories, and family memories — a constant presence on the horizon for residents and visitors alike.
For the Gonneau Building Group, contributing to its preservation was more than a project milestone. It was an opportunity to stand in a long line of craftspeople who have cared for this place, and to help ensure it continues to guide, welcome, and inspire for generations to come.
For more information on the history of the famous Pointe Au Baril Range Front Lighthouse visit lighthouse friends website.
