Tibbett's Point Lighthouse StatisticsCopyright 2004 Pat McAvoy-CostinThe first light house at Tibbett�s Point was established in 1827. Tibbett�s Point is just outside of Cape Vincent, NY which is directly south of Wolfe Island, Ont. Cape Vincent is easily accessible to Wolfe Island by a 20 minute ferry ride. This ferry is the only international ferry operated between Canada and the US. At one time, there was a canal that cut across Wolfe Island between Barrett�s Bay and Bayfield Bay. The canal improved commerce transit time between Kingston and Cape Vincent. That canal is no longer operational. The Tibbett�s Point lighthouse was originally built on land that was part of a plot of 600 acres that belonged to Capt. John TIBBETT of Troy, NY. In 1827, three of those acres surrounding the point were deeded to the US Government and a lighthouse was erected there. The first light was a 58 foot stone tower. The light was fueled by whale oil at that time. In the early 1850�s, the lighthouse fuel was converted to lard oil. Whale oil was getting harder to come by. In 1854, the original lighthouse was rebuilt. This new lighthouse was taller at 69 feet high and the structure is still operational today. This structure is a white, conical brick and stucco tower with black cast iron lantern. The new lighthouse was equipped with 50 candlepower oil lamps and a new Fresnel lens that was imported from France. This Fresnel lens is the only Fresnel still in operation on the St. Lawrence River today. Tibbett�s Point Timeline
The Islands: Lighthouses: Tibbett's Point Statistics
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