The lighthouse in Gabarus is sitting on safer ground thanks to local residents.
For more than three years, the community rallied around the 125-year-old structure. The Gabarus Lightkeepers Society was awarded $50,000 as part of a province-wide contest allowing Friday’s move to take place.
“It's a great day and a long time coming, but it's about time because it was going to fall off if it was left where it was,” said resident Tim Menk.
The structure was just metres away from toppling into the Atlantic Ocean, and has moved 40 feet from the eroding shoreline.
“We ran into a few barriers and a few challenges,” said Gabarus Lightkeepers Society chair Janet McGillen. “We just kept plugging away with lots of support from the community. They just kept saying keep going, so we did.”
There were some tense moments through the day as the lighthouse house wobbled with each pull.
Many showed up to watch the unique move led by contractor Jim Demeyere.
“It's three times higher than it is wide,” he said. “The top is all steel, so you lift her three inches, you're 12 inches off on the top because of the height. You have to be very careful.”
Demeyere and local residents say they’ve never seen a lighthouse moved before.
“There's a poignancy about saving something as the coastline erodes. There's something permanent about community and that's what strikes at my heart strings,” said Menk.
“I think they should try to preserve most of the heritage if they can for all of the lighthouses around,” said resident Darlene Munroe.
With the lighthouse safe and secure, the community plans on using it as their centre piece when Gabarus celebrates its 300th anniversary next year.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
