A word from the creators

This website was created to celebrate the centennial of the Metis Lighthouse in 2009. It follows the publication of The Metis Lighthouse. We are three people who share a passion for the one most symbolic element in our region – the lighthouse. The lighthouse figures prominently in local iconography, appearing on calendars, tablemats and licence plates. The regional school board - the Commission Scolaire des Phares - has incorporated the lighthouse into its name and logo. The publisher of this website – Heritage Lower St.Lawrence – likewise uses the lighthouse image on its letterhead. And the lighthouse has attracted generations of artists and photographers. Inaccessibility has added to its mystique. Whereas other lighthouses in eastern Quebec have become tourism kiosks, museums and interpretation centres, the Metis Lighthouse is easy to see but hard to reach. Few have visited in recent decades and fewer still have climbed the 103 steps to enjoy the stunning view from the top of the tower. The lighthouse remains an enigma to all but the intrepid adventurer. This website should help to demystify its history, making it more familiar to readers and lighthouse lovers.

Historian and director of the RefordGardens, Alexander Reford has compiled information on the subject and inhabitants for nearly 10 years. For Paul Gendron, his fascination is “bred in the bone”. It began with visits to the lighthouse when his grandfather was the lighthouse keeper from 1936 to 1954. In recent years, he has collected information on the lighthouse keepers, many of whom have contributed photographs and anecdotes for this website.  Website creator and photographer, Martin Bond’s fascination with lighthouses and the sea comes from his childhood summers spent in Gaspe at his grandparents. Since then, he has photographed many Quebec lighthouses in 360 degrees photographs. Internet users can take part in his passion by virtually visiting the building representing the link between land and sea.

We have created a page on this website to gather photographs and stories from the last 150 years, which, we hope, will contribute to the conservation of this historic building. Your comments, stories and photos will allow us to enrich the history of the lighthouse and insure and enhance its preservation.

Alexander Reford, Paul Gendron and Martin Bond