Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior

Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior Learn more at www.clls.ca! The organization operates as a nonprofit charity. By exposing the historical position of lighthouses for everyone to share.

Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior restores, preserves, maintains and promotes Lighthouses on Lake Superior for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the Thunder Bay region and visitors from afar! Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior (CLLS) is an umbrella organization represents a movement to restore, preserve, maintain and promote lighthouses that dot the northern shoreline of Lake Superi

ors. Incorporated under the watchful eye of the Ontario Historical Society, public use is one of the main pillars of the group. In the upcoming season the group will continue to maintain a couple of lighthouses leases in the region. Not only is the group maintaining local lighthouses but also provide a catalyst for other community groups, government departments and heritage users to become engaged. As the majority of surplus lighthouses fall further into disrepair, time is of the essence. Restoring our navigational history and sharing the stories, is a priority that our visitors help us support.

08/08/2026

The magnificent setting of Trowbridge Island Light, Ontario, Canada on Lake Superior. Established on the summit of the island in 1924, the light remains an active aid to navigation serviced by the Canadian Coast Guard. Overall maintenance of the site was leased to the non-profit group Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior (www.clls.ca) in 2016. That group offers several tours out to the island during the summer months. - Photo courtesy of Zack Kruzins

Happy National Lighthouse Day!Our friend Captain Ron of the vessel Steel Away has been sending us photos of his adventur...
08/07/2026

Happy National Lighthouse Day!

Our friend Captain Ron of the vessel Steel Away has been sending us photos of his adventures on Lake Superior this summer. Check out his stunning photos of #10 lighthouse on Shaganash Island, Caribou Island Lighthouse, Battle Island Lighthouse, Otter Island Lighthouse, and its twin (with the same beaver weathervane!) at the Slate Islands.

Of the Caribou light, Captain Ron writes, "Caribou Light is colossal. At 103 ft it's the tallest light on the lake. Porphyry light is around 48 steps to the top, Caribou would be 200 ... gasp...gasp. It was built in 1903"

Lighthouses are an important part of our maritime history. Hats off to all the organizations, staff, and volunteers who work so hard to keep them standing and available for the public to experience!

08/06/2026

What’s red and white and tons of fun? A day trip to Porphyry Island Lightstation!

Join award-winning stone carver Deborah Spear for a soapstone-carving workshop at Porphyry Island on Sunday, September 6...
08/03/2026

Join award-winning stone carver Deborah Spear for a soapstone-carving workshop at Porphyry Island on Sunday, September 6 (11:00 am – 3:30 pm). Deborah will guide you to transform a rough-cut piece of soapstone into a charismatic turtle or bear.

You'll be amazed by the way the stone’s natural variegation contributes to your creation's unique personality and how polishing and oiling it brings out rich colours from an initially grey form. They day includes time to explore Porphyry Island's black-sand beaches and historic light station!

Cost: $210 per person, includes charter boat ride from Silver Islet, site entry fee, workshop instruction, supplies, and some delicious baking! (Participants not needing the charter can enter the coupon code BOATER2026 for a $85 discount)

Register at https://clls.ca/boathouse-folk-school-creative-workshops/

On Thursday, August 20 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) create a hand-painted and stamped fabric tote bag inspired by Porphyry Island...
08/02/2026

On Thursday, August 20 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm) create a hand-painted and stamped fabric tote bag inspired by Porphyry Island’s natural environment with wildflowers, shoreline textures, lighthouse, and monarch butterflies.

Artist in Residence, Crystal Belanger will guide you through simple design techniques such as stencil shapes, mark-making, and layering with acrylic fabric paint to create your own interpretation of the island. The workshop is designed to be accessible for all skill levels, low-mess, and focused on creative expression and connection to place through a functional keepsake.

Cost: $195 per person, includes charter boat ride from Silver Islet, site entry fee, workshop instruction, supplies (plain cotton tote bags, fabric-safe acrylic paints, brushes, sponges, simple stencils), and some delicious baking! (Participants not needing the charter can enter the coupon code BOATER2026 for a $85 discount)

Visit www.clls.ca to register

Check out Crystal's gorgeous paintings of Porphyry Island in images 4 and 5. Prints of these paintings are also available at Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior's gift shop on Porphyry Island. See more of her work at https://thepinkeuphano.com/

Photo credit of monarch butterfly: Lorna MacAskill

This week's Artist in Residence is Hanna Wainio, a local illustrator whose whimsical characters bring small moments of m...
08/01/2026

This week's Artist in Residence is Hanna Wainio, a local illustrator whose whimsical characters bring small moments of magic into the lives of anyone who has the pleasure of seeing her work. Hanna's characters have adventures and live in a special place called "Moonberry Forest" that even includes a lighthouse! During her week-long stay at Porphyry Island, Hanna has been working on nature-inspired cutouts, mini paintings, sketching, and illustrating a special star character that lights up the night like the lighthouse does.

Visit her at Porphyry Island this weekend and check out www.hannawainio.com to see more of her work!

We wish to offer a special tribute to Gordon Mackenzie today. The Mackenzies made a tremendous contribution to Canadian ...
08/01/2026

We wish to offer a special tribute to Gordon Mackenzie today. The Mackenzies made a tremendous contribution to Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior serving as Host Keepers four times, helping with repairs, greeting guests, gardening, cooking, building – you name it. They were always stepping up to help out. If that wasn’t enough, Gordon joined the board of CLLS in 2024 offering even more of his time and dedication to CLLS as just one of the many ways he contributed to his community. Gordon was one of the kindest, most generous people we've ever met. He will be greatly missed.

07/31/2026

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Office/212 Miles Street E. Suite 202
Thunder Bay, ON
P7C1J6

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