The Story Behind the Lighthouse at the Sooke Region Museum
When you visit Sooke, BC, one of the most recognizable landmarks greeting you isn’t a grand estate or mountain peak, it’s a lighthouse. Perched proudly at the entrance to the Sooke Region Museum, this beloved lighthouse has become more than just a piece of coastal heritage, it's a symbol of the town itself. For locals, newcomers, and visitors alike, it tells a story of community, preservation, and connection to the wild coastline that defines life in Sooke. But how did this lighthouse come to rest at a museum instead of at sea? Here’s the story.
A Beacon from Triangle Island
The lighthouse now standing at the Sooke Region Museum originally came from Triangle Island, one of the most remote and treacherous locations off the coast of British Columbia. Situated at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island near Cape Scott, Triangle Island was infamous for brutal storms, thick fog, and dangerous seas which made it a critical location for navigation. In 1910, a large wooden lighthouse was constructed on the island to warn passing ships of the surrounding dangers.
The Triangle Island lighthouse was built tall and strong, with a tower that stood nearly 67 feet high. Its light, powered by a powerful Fresnel lens, cast a beam far across the sea. It was staffed by lighthouse keepers who braved isolation, intense storms, and long stretches without supply or contact. Unfortunately, the location was so extreme, constantly battered by wind and waves that the station became nearly impossible to maintain.
Decommissioned and Forgotten
By 1919, less than a decade after it began operation, the Triangle Island lighthouse was officially shut down. The extreme weather conditions and the remote, dangerous nature of the island proved too much for regular maintenance and operation. The light was extinguished, and the structure was left behind to face the elements. Over time, much of the site was dismantled, lost, or left to decay. The lighthouse's story might have ended there, forgotten on the edge of the continent if not for a group of passionate individuals decades later.
The Journey to Sooke
In the 1980s, staff and volunteers at the Sooke Region Museum, with the support of the District of Sooke and heritage organizations, made a bold decision: they would rescue and preserve the last remaining structure of the Triangle Island lighthouse and relocate it to Sooke. It was a mammoth task. The original structure had been partially dismantled, and transporting the remaining sections of the lighthouse from such a remote location required ingenuity, funding, and a huge volunteer effort.
Over several years, pieces of the lighthouse were carefully salvaged, restored, and reassembled on the museum grounds. What stands there now is a faithful reconstruction using original materials and dimensions, allowing visitors to walk around and even inside a living piece of BC’s maritime history. The tower at the museum isn’t just a replica; it’s a revival, giving new life to one of the province’s most dramatic lighthouses.
The Lighthouse Today
Today, the lighthouse at the Sooke Region Museum serves as a centrepiece for both the museum grounds and the community at large. It’s often the first thing visitors notice when arriving at the museum, and it has become a beloved icon used in local art, tourism promotions, and even real estate branding (like this very website).
The tower offers a climbable viewing platform where you can look out over the Sooke Harbour and beyond. It’s an ideal photo opportunity and a favourite destination for school groups and history lovers. But it’s also something deeper, a symbol of Sooke’s connection to the coast, and to a way of life shaped by nature, resilience, and independence.
A Symbol of Sooke’s Spirit
The lighthouse at the Sooke Region Museum is more than just an exhibit, it reflects the values of the community. Just like the people who live here, the lighthouse has weathered storms, stood tall through challenges, and ultimately found its place on the island’s edge. It embodies the kind of resilience that defines life in Sooke: resourceful, self-reliant, and deeply rooted in place.
That’s part of why we proudly chose the lighthouse as our symbol for Sooke BC Real Estate. It’s a nod to the heritage of this incredible area, but also to the guiding principle behind our work, helping you find your way to the right home. Whether you’re searching for a waterfront cottage, a private acreage, or your very first home, the journey begins with knowing where you’re headed. And in Sooke, that journey often starts at the lighthouse.
Planning a Visit
If you’re new to the area, or just haven’t had a chance to visit, the Sooke Region Museum is located at 2070 Phillips Road, right near the entrance to town. The lighthouse is open to the public during museum hours and is well worth a visit, especially for families or anyone interested in local history. Admission is by donation, and there are often exhibits, events, and community markets happening onsite.
Before or after your visit, take a stroll through nearby trails, stop for lunch at a local café, or explore real estate listings nearby. Who knows, you might fall in love with the area and decide to make Sooke your next home.
The lighthouse at the Sooke Region Museum is more than just wood and paint, it’s a chapter in the story of British Columbia’s coast, and a reminder of the things that guide us. At Sooke BC Real Estate, we believe buying or selling a home is more than a transaction. It’s about finding direction, finding place, and ultimately finding home. And in a town like Sooke, where history and nature go hand-in-hand, there’s no better symbol to represent that journey than the lighthouse that greets us all.