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Lighthouse Conservation Area is a 1 hectare park located at the mouth of the Thames River at Lake St. Clair. The lighthouse is 200 years old and is one of the three oldest on the Great Lakes. A pioneer family named Cartier settled at the mouth of the Thames River in the early 1800’s and built the first lighthouse. The original frame structure was destroyed by fire during the War of 1812. In 1818, the present structure was built and extended in height to its present level after Confederation. The original Cartier family looked after the lighthouse for about 130 years until William "Dick" Cartier died in 1950. The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority obtained the lighthouse in 1973 and has since moved the structure and rebuilt it stone by stone.

Directions:  From Chatham, follow Riverview Drive to Tecumseh Drive, north into Lighthouse Cove  (see watershed map).

Coordinates: Lat/Long 42.317, -82.455   UTM 380120, 4685590

Natural Features: At the mouth of the Thames River – a Canadian Heritage River.

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