We are now at Bryant’s Landing, the site of one of seven lighthouses installed along the Canadian shores of Lake Memphremagog in 1878.
At the time, the lake served as a vital transportation route for both Indigenous communities in the U.S. and early Canadian settlers. It was also a popular tourist destination.
In 1796, Simon D. Wadleigh—partner of Bolton Township founder Nicholas Austin—settled on the lake’s shore and for many years, operated a ferry between its eastern and western banks. The ferry was accessible via a simple path from Gibraltar Point, near the present-day Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac.
By the mid-19th century, Loyalists Frederick and Christopher Bryant, ancestors of many local families, constructed a landing for steamboats transporting passengers and goods across the lake. This marked the beginning of 'Bryant’s Landing,' a wharf crowned by a lighthouse that played a key role in the region’s development.
Take a moment to appreciate the stunning landscape. Lake Memphremagog stretches 50 km, with 73% of its surface in Quebec and the remainder in Vermont.
To the north lies the city of Magog; to the south, Mount Owl’s Head. The lake’s vibrant scenery invites reflection on its rich history, including the era of steamboats like the Mountain Maid, Lady of the Lake, and Anthemis, the latter disappearing in 1953. These stories are featured in Dreamers and Steamers, a 2025 documentary by Louise Abbott that explores the lake’s economic and tourism legacy.
As for Bryant’s Landing, its structure evolved six times over the years, reaching a height of 6.7 meters at one point. Today, only a white light remains, illuminated from May to October.
Oh, and by the way—have you heard of Memphré? Legend speaks of a mysterious creature said to haunt these waters for centuries. Even the Abenaki, who have lived in the region for thousands of years, are said to have avoided swimming here... just in case.