Description of Historic Place

The Tower is prominently sited on high cliffs at Cape Egmont on the west coast of Prince Edward Island. It is a three-storey, square tapered tower constructed of wood and clad in shingles. The sturdy Tower is crowned by a gallery and prominent octagonal lantern. Classical references are found in the projecting pedimented entrance and window surrounds and in the moulded cornice. Multi-pane wood sash windows are vertically aligned up the tower. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Tower is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Tower is associated with campaigns to improve the safety of maritime commerce at remote coastal locations by building navigational aids. The lighthouse was built during a period of increased commerce following Canadian confederation. Located on the Northumberland Strait, it continues to serve regional commercial shipping as well as the local lobster fishing industry.

Architectural Value
The Tower is valued for its very good aesthetic design. It is one of a number of square tapered wooden towers built during the nineteenth century, favoured because they were economical to construct and easy to maintain. In its form and decoration, the Tower exhibits the classical aesthetic favoured by early lighthouse designers. The sturdy wood frame structure indicates its good functional design. Its very good craftsmanship executed in wood is demonstrated in its shingle cladding and in the projecting pedimented entrance, window surrounds and in the moulded cornice.

Environmental Value
The Tower is compatible with the maritime character of its coastal setting and is a well-known regional landmark.

Sources: Lighthouse, Cape Egmont, Prince Edward Island, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 90-110; Lighthouse, Cape Egmont, Prince Edward Island, Heritage Character Statement, 90-110.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Tower should be respected.

Its very good aesthetic design, good functional design and very good craftsmanship and materials, for example: the three-storey square tapered tower surmounted by a vaned octagonal lantern; the Tower’s classical tripartite division which includes the base, tapered shaft and lantern platform; the classical references found in the projecting pedimented entrance and window surrounds and in the moulded cornice; the regular vertical alignment of the multi-paned windows; the sturdy, wood frame construction; the shingle cladding; the gallery platform and railing; the original interior finishes and fittings.

The manner in which the Tower is compatible with the maritime character of its coastal setting and is a well-known landmark within the area, as evidenced by: its overall scale, massing, design and materials, which complement its isolated coastal surroundings; its visibility within the area due to its prominent siting on high cliffs; its role as a seacoast marker of the associated remote coastal environment.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Cape Egmont Lighthouse was built in 1883 to designs by the Department of Marine and Fisheries. The structure originally included an attached lightkeeper's residence. The house was removed in 1958, but the tower and light are still in operation. The Canadian Coast Guard is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 90-110.

Reasons for Designation

The Cape Egmont Lighthouse was designated Recognized for its classical proportions and craftsmanship, its landmark status, and its association with the post-Confederation provision of coastal navigational aids.

The Cape Egmont Lighthouse is one of a number of square wooden towers built during the nineteenth century, favoured because they were economical to construct and easy to maintain. In its form and decoration, the tower exhibits the classical aesthetic favoured by early lighthouse designers. Prominently sited on 33ft high cliffs on the west coast of Prince Edward Island, the lighthouse is a well known regional landmark.

The lighthouse was built during a period of increased commerce following Canadian Confederation. Located on the Northumberland Strait, it continues to serve regional commercial shipping as well as the local lobster fishing industry.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of this structure is defined by its classical form and detailing, its materials, and its relationship with its setting.

A three-storey square tapered tower surmounted by a vaned octagonal lantern, this lighthouse exhibits the tripartite division derived from classical architecture: base (foundation), tapered shaft, and capital (lantern platform). The clarity of this profile should be protected.

Classical references are also found in the projecting pedimented entrance and window surrounds and in the moulded cornice. The regular vertical alignment of the multi-paned windows reinforces the formal character associated with classicism. These are essential elements of the design and should be preserved.

The sturdy wood-frame structure is in good condition, and should continue to be carefully maintained. The shingle cladding is in keeping with the original design. The original decorative wood platform railing has been replaced by a pipe railing; a return to the original railing, based on pictorial and physical evidence, would enhance the tower's heritage character. Any early interior finishes and fittings should be retained.

The lighthouse is located in a sparsely-settled area of the coast. The site has lost several associated early structures, leaving the tower as the only building in its isolated setting. The current maritime character should be preserved.