Welcome to the Lake Ontario Shoreline. As you can see from this illustration below, the lake plays host to many lighthouses. Some stand on shore, some sit on barren islands just barely large enough for the light itself, but all were equally important for the shipping industry that once ruled this lake. An example of some of the commerce that took place on the lake was that of grain and lumber with the Port of Oswego being a major port on the lake. Commerce on the lake slowed during the Great Depression and unfortunately never picked back up after it.
Other than commerce, Lake Ontario has also seen its share of naval battles, most notably during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. There is even a rumor that a German submarine was spotted on the lake during World War II. This has never been proved or disproved.
Although Lake Ontario is the smallest of the inland seas, it is not the shallowest. The deepest spot of the lake is about 762 feet which surpasses Lake Erie and Lake Huron and rivals that of Lake Michigan. The lake is approximately 193 miles long and 53 miles wide totalling about 7520 square miles. Lake Ontario shipping traffic may have slowed down after the Great Depression, but it will never die. Reason being? It is the quickest way for ships on the Western Great Lakes to get to the Atlantic Ocean.
A ship can leave from Duluth, Minnesota travel across Lake Superior to Whitefish Bay and the locks at Sault Ste. Marie. From here, the ship will pass down the St. Marys River into Lake Huron. Once in Lake Huron, the ship will have to cover the entire distance of the lake. Then from Lake Huron the ship will travel down through the St. Clair River into Lake St. Clair. From here, it will travel down the Detroit River into Lake Erie where it will have to travel the entire distance. Once at the eastern end it will enter the Welland Canal to start its journey to Lake Ontario. It is at this point that it will finally make it into the last major body of water, Lake Ontario, before getting to the ocean. Once in Ontario, it will again have to travel the full distance up to Tibbett's Point, the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway. At the end of the St. Lawrence River, the ship will then finally pass into the Atlantic Ocean.
New York State
In New York State, the Seaway Trail makes it very easy to visit the lighthouses. The Seaway Trail starts in lower New York State and follows Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway. In total, about 450 miles. This lends itself nicely to lighthouse visitation.
Driving Directions
Starting out at the Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse in Youngstown, NY, you can follow Route 18 east to the next light, Thirty Mile Point in Somerset. This light sits on the grounds of Golden Hill State Park. To get to the next light, continue heading east on Route 18 this will eventually lead you onto Lake Ontario State Parkway. This will lead you to Lighthouse Road (make left) and the Braddock Point Lighthouse. (This is privately owned, please respect their privacy / don't trespass)
Continue along Lake Ontario State Parkway into the City of Rochester to the end at Lake Ave. Make a left onto Lake Ave and follow it north towards the lake. Turn into the parking lot for Holy Cross Church, it will be on your right. The Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse will be directly behind it. The next light will be in Ontario Beach at the foot of Lake Ave. out on the pier. This is the Rochester Pierhead Light. From here, you will want to take Lake Ave. to Route 104. Head east on Route 104 until you come to Route 14. Head north on Route 14 up to the Old Sodus and Sodus Pierhead Lighthouses. From here head back south to Route 104.
You will now follow Route 104 into the City of Oswego. This will be a drive. Once in Oswego, watch your speed as the police likes to radar. You will make a left onto West 5th Street. Follow this north to the end which should put you right at the marina where you will be able to see the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse out on the pier. Once done, head east on 104 out of Oswego. From here you will be look for Route 104B and veer left onto it. Follow it to the end which will be Route 3. Follow this north to Lake Ave. (Route 5) where you will make a left (head west). Follow this around the turn and you will see the Selkirk Lighthouse.
Continue heading north on Route 3 just about into the town of Henderson. You will be looking for Route 178 (Military Road). Head west (left) onto that. Once on that, you will be looking for the fork in the road. Follow the left fork (Lighthouse Road) and follow this to the end. At the end will be the Stony Point Lighthouse. . (This is privately owned, please respect their privacy / don't trespass) Now turn around and head back out to Route 3.
Now follow Route 3 north until the Route 180 cutoff on the left. Follow Route 180 north until you reach the intersection of Route 12E. You will now follow Route 12E north into Cape Vincent. Before you reach the town, you will see the Cape Vincent Breakwater Lighthouse on the left-hand side on the lawn of (I believe) the DPW garage. After you are done, continue following Route 12E to the intersection of East Broadway in Cape Vincent. (Two different maps give me conflicting route numbers. One map says that it stays Route 12E once you make that right, the other, says it changes to Route 12. From what I remember it is Route 12.)
Anyways, make a left onto West Broadway (Route 6) and follow that west for about 2.5 miles to the end. Once at the end, you will be at the Tibbett's Point Lighthouse. Once done, turn around and follow Route 6 back out to Route 12. At this point you have two options on what you can do. You can take the Wolfe Island Ferry over to Canada, or you can stay in the US and continue along the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Canada - Wolfe Island
When we made the trip, we opted to take the Wolfe Island Ferry over to the island to see the two lighthouses out there. Remember that you are leaving the country and are subject to inspection upon arrival in Canada. They will usually ask for citizenship and purpose of visit. I told the inspector that I was going to photograph lighthouses. He was surprised and didn't know that Wolfe Island had any. Anyways, upon arrival, also remember that their speed limits are in KPH (kilometers per hour). When you first start out on the island, you will be on Route 95. You will follow this all the way to the other side of the island. It will intersect with Route 96, it is here that you will want to make a left onto it. Follow this until you see a sign for the Simcoe Island Ferry. (Just shy of 3.5 miles up the road)
It is here that you will find out how much of an adventurer you are. Why do I say this you ask? When you see the ferry, you will know! The ferry boat holds at max, maybe 2 cars, and follows a cable that guides it across. The current in the channel is pretty strong and tries pushing the ferry off course, but the cable holds strong. The cost was $.75 and that covered the return trip. By all means, this was the coolest part of the trip!
Once onto the island, you will follow the dirt road pretty much to the end. The first intersection you come to will be a "T" in the road. Make a left hand turn here and continue following it to the end (It makes another turn). At the end will be the Nine Mile Point Lighthouse. (The area from the gate to the lighthouse and the two surrounding cottages is a mix of Coast Guard and Private Property. Therefore access is not permitted. If you wish to view the lighthouse, you are welcome to do so from the gate. If you have a boat, another alternative is from the water.) After this, please make your way back to the east end of the island where the ferry back to Wolfe Island is. On Wolfe Island, somewhere on the east end of the island is the Wolfe Island Lighthouse. I never really looked for it since at the time I really had no idea where it was. (I talked with some locals, they advised that the lighthouse is located down a private dirt road, and not visible from land.)
Lights of the St. Lawrence Seaway
At this point, we took the Wolfe Island ferry back to Cape Vincent rather than going to Kingston. Once in Cape Vincent, continue heading east along Route 12 for about 20 miles. It is at this point where you will be looking for Route 195 in the small town of Fisher's Landing. Turn left onto Route 195 and follow it a short distance to the water. It you look to the north you will see Rock Island Lighthouse out on an island. From here, head back out to Route 12, and continue east to the town of Alexandria Bay. Make a left onto Church Street and follow it to James Street. You will then make a right onto James Street.
Follow James Street to the end. On the left side of the street was a motel. From here you can get a few decent quick shots of the Sunken Rock Lighthouse if you have a telephoto lens. I used a 210mm and 500mm lenses and got pretty good shots. Another alternative would be to take the Uncle Sam's Boat tour if you have the time and money. This tour runs you past several lighthouses and overall is an excellent informational tour about the history of the 1000 Islands region. After this, head back out to Route 12. You can also use Empire Boat Lines to take you to Singer Castle. While on the trip to Singer Castle, you will pass by Three Sisters Island Lighthouse.
Again, head east along Route 12 (Towards Ogdensburg). This time, you will be looking for Conger Road. When you get to this road, turn left onto it and follow it a very short distance to River Ledge Road. (Turn right onto it) Head east down River Ledge Road, at some of the clearings, you will be able to see the river. I can't remember how far down River Ledge Road I was, but in one of the clearings, you will be able to see the Crossover Island Lighthouse. (I know this lighthouse is on an island, but if you have a boat, please don't trespass as the lighthouse is privately owned.)
If you continue following River Ledge road east, you will end up back out on Route 12. Continue along Route 12 east until it intersects with Route 37. Continue east along Route 37 until you get into Ogdensburg. Once in Ogdensburg, look for State Street. Make a left onto State Street and follow it several blocks to Riverside Ave. Make a left onto Riverside Ave. and follow it a short distance to a park. It is from this park that you will be able to look across the river and see several Canadian lighthouses. You will see the Windmill Point, Prescott Breakwater, Prescott Visitor's Center Lighthouses. **Note: While in Ogdensburg, there is the Ogdensburg Lighthouse. (This has been removed from the website at the owner's request.)
The Canadian Side!
From here, you will follow State Street to Green Street. Make a left onto Green Street and follow that until it changes into Proctor Ave. This will lead you right to the Ogdensburg - Prescott Bridge to Canada. Please keep in mind that you will have to pay a toll and clear Customs. The bridge will let you off on Route 16, You will want to head south to Route 2 which will follow along the River.
One on Route 2, head back west. Right along Route 2, you will see signs for the Historic Windmill Point battlefield and Windmill Point Lighthouse. These will lead you right to the lighthouse. There is a small fee to gain access, but they will let you climb it. This is definitely neat as its not like any other lighthouse inside. From here, head back to Route 2 and continue to head west.
I would say less than a mile or two, you will be in the town of Prescott. From here you will easily be able to see where the park that houses the town's two lighthouses is. You can easily get great shots of the two lighthouses from the park. There is the Prescott Breakwater Lighthouse that is at a distance, and there is also the Prescott Visitor's Center Lighthouse. This one is open to the public for climbing, then on the way back down, treat yourself to an ice cream cone!
The next lighthouse that you will come to will be about 90 miles west of Prescott, so you will be better off getting on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) 401.
More to come soon!