In 1899 a grant from the Canadian federal government enabled the construction of a harbour at Gimli on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. A permanent pier was built in 1900 and a lighthouse was added in 1910. An ice pile-up in April 1943 pushed over and damaged the lighthouse. In 1973 the original top, which had been kept by one of the last lighthouse keepers, was re-built atop a replica of the lighthouse, in the fishing village area, as a tourist attraction. The lighthouse is managed by the New Iceland Heritage Museum.
SS Rosamond Billett lying outside the breakwater at Gimli with the lighthouse at right (circa 1910-1917)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Loudon G. Wilson fonds, PR1978-14, Photo 198.
Gimli Lighthouse (April 2017)
Source: Eric De Schepper
Gimli Lighthouse (April 2017)
Source: Eric De Schepper
Gimli Pier (April 2017)
Source: Eric De Schepper
Gimli Pier (April 2024)
Source: George PennerSite Location (lat/long): N50.63173, W96.98395
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Jon Jonnson Vopni (1864-1956)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: New Iceland Heritage Museum (First Avenue, Gimli)
Gimli Saga, The History of Gimli, Manitoba by the Gimli Women's Institute, 1975.
This page was prepared by Eric De Schepper, George Penner, Gordon Goldsborough, and Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 4 August 2024
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