Read all about: lighthouse pelee island
Lighthouse - Pelee Island
The waters of Lake Erie surround rustic Pelee Island about halfway between Sandusky, Ohio on one side, and Leamington, Ontario, Canada on the other side.
Pelee Island lighthouse was constructed in 1833 and is the oldest stone lighthouse on Lake Erie and the second oldest lighthouse in the Great Lakes on the Canadian side. It was built to guide vessels through the dangerous Pelee Passage, a 20-mile channel that runs between Pelee Island and the Canadian mainland.
The lighthouse has an interesting history, dating back to its first keeper, William McCormick, who was also the man who donated the land for the lighthouse to be built on along with the stone used to build the tower.
Story has it that a young Robert E. Lee (later to become commander of all Confederate troops during the War between the States) visited Pelee Island in July of 1835 to work on a boundary survey for United States and Canada. When he visited the lighthouse he encountered the keeper. Whether the keeper was unfriendly or Lee provoked him is unclear, but an altercation occurred and Lee killed the keeper. Whether Lee was cleared of any charges or left before . . .
back