Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse Historic Site

If you enjoy Canadian history or are into military bases Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse is a great historic site to check out. Fort Rodd Hill is a 19th-century national historic site on the Esquimalt Harbour. It was used as a coastal artillery fort and was on active duty from 1895 to 1956. Fisgard Lighthouse is also a national historic site that is located on the traditional territories of the Lekqungen-speaking peoples. Fisgaurd Lighthouse was one of the first lighthouses to be built on the West Coast in 1860 along with the lighthouse built at Race Rocks.

Having been an active base there are still original bunkers and outbuildings that were built for the soldiers and their families. Being on the coast blending into the natural environment was key to avoid detection. Much of the artillery buildings were built into the rockface to avoid being seen by passing ships. There was a mesh net across the harbour to protect against submarines and underwater missiles.

The Fisgard Lighthouse is no longer operational but is still a big part of Canadian history. The British Royal Navy’s Pacific Squadron used Fisgard Lighthouse as beacon to find their way to the base and through the Esquimalt Harbour. In 1929 a lighthouse keeper was no longer needed as the light was automated. You can learn about how a lighthouse keeper worked and lived from the displays inside the lighthouse.