The letter written below was given to me in a book of source documents by Patrick Folkes the well known historian.. It was all written by hand in the original penmanship of the author. The author did not begin sentences with capitals. I have ignored that, but otherwise tried to keep the original spelling which sometimes does not pass the spell checker test. What I’ve added is between square brackets []

The letter concerns the placement of the Lighthouses at a number of spots.  Mr. Robinson writes to a superior describing a recent visit to some of the sites.  He details the placement of the lights.

You will note that Mr. Brown was asking for very modest funds at the start of this huge project. We will see later that he almost went broke in creating the six Imperial Towers. Mr. Brown was a well known stonemason and contractor who was to construct all the Imperial Towers.

Also, note that this was before establishing the final contract bid. This shows the regard they had for Mr. Brown and his ability to do the work.

Toronto July 14^th, 1855

Sir

I beg leave to send in the following report of the location of four of the Light Houses [sic] on Lake Huron.

At Point Clark there is a pole or mast about 40 feet high planted, and secured, to a small tree (Norway Pine) with a flag red and white attached to it. The tree is blazed square and the broad arrow marker [is} upon the west side of it. The Point here is a low sandy beach 5 feet above the surface of the Lake, but I have no doubt by going down to the depth of 7 feet, I judge, from the bottom of the Lake a good solid foundation can be found. Here I think the stone for building can be procured at Inverhuron or Bay du dart, further up the Lake, and brought by water. Sand can be procured on the spot. There is a reef extending some distance into the Lake about 1½ miles but there was 9 feet 6 in. water when I took the soundings. The distance was not actually measured.

At Kincardine called otherwise Penetangore there is a flag nailed to the sign post of Mr. Walker’s Hotel to indicate the position opposite to which the proposed breakwater could be built. The exact location can be varried [sic] to suit the inhabitants without in any way affecting the general details of the arrangement.

I also visited Inverhuron but did not lay out the position of the peir [sic]. Here I think I should much like to consult Mr. Page on the subject. The Lake was very smooth and I could not judge what effect the reef had in checking the action of the Lake.

On Chantry Island the exact position of the Light House is marked by cutting away the branches of a balsamm [sic] about 12 feet high squaring it at axe handle high. The broad arrow on the east side. This tree stands back 39 feet from a red and white flag erected close to the shore. Here the Island is 8 feet above the surface of the Lake and is on a hard stony bottom thought not presenting an indication of positive Quary [sic]. The stone for building can be procured by water at Bay du dart distance 12 miles. The sand on the opposite mainland. [Bay du dart is close to the present power plant  The stone was actually taken from Inverhuron at Gunn Point.  Also, one wonders, about the sharpness of the sand on the beach.  Did the master stonemason Mr. Brown sift the sand?  We found that it takes a very considerable amount of sand per day to keep 3 stonemasons productive.]

On the Isle of Coves the position of Light House is marked by squaring a small tree close to the present position of the temporary light. The foundation will be on the solid limestone rock with but little stripping. The stone for building can be procured on the spot, but of sand in the immediate vicinity, there is no indication. I think it will have to be procured by vessels from a considerable distance. We could find none in Colpoys Bay nor did we see any at Point William [ Known now as Vail Point]. The level of the land is 10 feet above the Lake.

At Point William the position of the Light House is indicated by a red and white flag attached to a mast 40 feet high placed 30 feet in advance of the exact place where the Light House could be located. The level of land is 28 feet above the surface of Lake. The foundation will not be on solid rock, but on a hard stony bottom. The stone for the building can be procured at a distance of four miles, and the sand, I was informed, can be procured in Owen Sound Bay, but as I did not go up the Bay, I speak but from information procured from the inhabitants. The principle object in erecting a Light House at Point William is to point out the position of a dangerous reef with only four feet of water on it extending to a distance of two miles across Owen Sound Bay. [This Lighthouse was never built.]

At Nottawasaga Island the foundation is already cut close to the west point of the island. The foundation is 8 feet 7 in above level of Lake. Upon the solid limestone rock here the stone for building can be brought from the main land [sic] at a distance of four miles by water. Sand of an indifferent kind is on the Island itself.

I also visited Christian Island, but did not locate the Light House there, but will do so on my next visit.

The force employed by Mr. Brown, the contractor, when I was there was as follows:

2 men attending light at Isle of Coves.

2 men attending light at Nottawasga Island.

3 men opening Quarry.

12 men building shanty at Christian Island.

I think it would be perfectly correct to allow this and have therefore signed this account in duplicate.

I would be much obliged if you would furnish me with copies of the manner in which the estimate books etc. are to be ruled and kept.

Thomas A. Begly esq.

Secretary Board of Works.

Sir

I have the honor etc

Your obedient servant

A. G Robinson Chief Engineer