Race Rocks Light

Race Rocks Light
LocationGreat Race Rock, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates48°17′52.9″N 123°31′53.1″W / 48.298028°N 123.531417°W / 48.298028; -123.531417
Tower
Constructed1859–1860
Constructionstone tower
Automated1997 
Height24.4 metres (80 ft)
Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingstower with black and white bands, red lantern
OperatorPearson College UWC
Heritagerecognized federal heritage building of Canada 
Fog signal(3) 60 s
Light
First lit26 December 1860
Focal height36 metres (118 ft)
Range19 nmi (35 km; 22 mi) 
CharacteristicFl W 10 s

Race Rocks Light is one of the first two lighthouses that were built on the west coast of Canada, financed by the British Government and illuminated in 1860. It is the only lighthouse on that coast built of rock — granite purportedly quarried in Scotland and topped with sandstone quarried on Gabriola Island. The islets of Race Rocks are located just off the southern tip of Vancouver Island, about 17 km (10 mi) southwest of Victoria, British Columbia.