The light stations were also seen as a significant political and fiduciary commitment on the part of the British government to the Colony of Vancouver Island, partly in response to the American gold miners flooding into the region: some 25,000 arrived in 1858 for the Fraser Gold Rush.

Captain George Richards supported his position, recommending the construction of a lighthouse at the mouth of Esquimalt Harbour.

[5]: 81 Architects John Wright and Hermann Otto Tiedemann designed the lighthouse and the picturesque gothic red brick residence adjoining it.

[6] Colonial surveyor and engineer Joseph Despard Pemberton was awarded the contract for the construction of the lighthouse.

[4]: 63–65 The lens, lamp apparatus and lantern room were accompanied from England by the first keeper, Mr. George Davies, in 1859.

[9] A causeway from the adjacent Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site provides access by land.