Discussions on the Future of Port Burwell Lighthouse

The lighthouse has been closed since 2023, with stabilization completed but full repairs yet to proceed.

Jan 27, 2026 • Last updated Jan 27, 2026 •

The Port Burwell lighthouse, owned by the Municipality of Bayham, borders the north shore of Lake Erie in Elgin County. Photo taken on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Heather Rivers Davey/The )

The community in East Elgin known as Port Burwell is currently discussing a possible transfer of ownership for its historic lighthouse with an unnamed organization.

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In January 2023, the Municipality of Bayham closed its lighthouse that’s been standing for 186 years – it’s a designated heritage site and part of the Port Burwell Marine Museum and Historic Lighthouse tourist attraction – due to issues with structural stability.

The lighthouse sits along Lake Erie’s north shore in Elgin County, which has around 7,000 residents. It hasn’t been used for navigation since back in 1963.

“The municipality has been in discussions with an organization about the possibility of transfer and rehabilitation. We are in what we hope to be the final stages of those discussions,” chief administrator Thomas Thayer said in an email.

Bayham made the decision to close the lighthouse after a thorough structural review revealed that water damage had caused deterioration to its s.

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Efforts to stabilize the structure began in April 2023 and were completed later that year.

The temporary stabilization measures cost $99,000 and included adding a steel collar at the third level and securing eight guy wires to helical piles driven into the ground.

The municipality estimates that fully repairing the lighthouse will take about $1.5 million.

Council has included this project in its capital budget as something that could receive grant support but hasn’t proceeded with any further work on the structure yet, according to Thayer.

Thayer added that they have also been “in discussion with the adjacent landowner about an extension of the licensing agreement that permits the stabilization assembly to remain in place.”

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“Depending on how both negotiations unfold, we’re hopeful to have updates within a couple of months,” he mentioned.

Coun. Tim Emerson represents Port Burwell and expressed optimism: “I’m looking forward to things working out.”

<p“So we can put this issue behind us and preserve this landmark symbol of our town,” he stated.

A number of organizations have been working hard to raise funds for this lighthouse which is recognized as being one of Lake Erie’s oldest along its northern shore; among them is the Port Burwell Historical Society which has raised over $43,000 so far.

<p“We’re excited to share we’ve reached our initial fundraising goal,” said their organization via their website.
“We now have enough funds for the municipality to create engineering designs and drawings needed for applying for grants from various government agencies and private foundations essential for financing actual restoration efforts.”

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The Municipality of Bayham took on over $6 million debt after backing loans aimed at bringing a Cold War-era submarine into Port Burwell as a potential tourist attraction.

In2012, the municipality agreedto guarantee debt fromthe Elgin Military Museumrelatedto HMCSOjibwa projectwhichincludedbringingthe Oberon-classsubmarineto Port Burwellandturningitintoamuseum.

Aftertheloan defaultedin2015, Bayhambecame responsibleforover$6millionwhichitpaidofflastyear.

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