Description of Historic Place

The Lighthouse at Cap d’Espoir is part of a lightstation located on the edge of the Gaspé coastline. The classically designed, reinforced-concrete lighthouse is a graceful and picturesque structure. Its basic composition consists of an octagonal tower with a moulded base and flared cornice. The tower supports a gallery platform and multi-sided red metal lantern topped by a decorative funnel hood and ventilator. Its recessed door and windows, which are recessed at the bottom and covered with a pedimented cap, add a decorative touch to the functional structure. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Lighthouse is one of several lighthouses situated along the Gaspé coast associated with the upgrading of Canada’s navigational system during the 1930s. The concrete structure was built to replace an earlier wooden tower at the light station.

Architectural Value
The Lighthouse is valued for its good aesthetic design and is a representative example of a classically designed tower with base, column and capital. The octagonal plan provides much of the grace and aesthetic appeal of the structure. Its basic composition is complimented by simple classical detailing that displays good craftsmanship. The lighthouse is also valued for its simple but very good functional design in reinforced concrete.

Environmental Value
The Lighthouse reinforces the present picturesque maritime character of its lightstation setting. It is a familiar landmark in the area.


Sources: Martha Phemister, Cap d’Espoir Lighthouse, Village de Cap d’Espoir, Gaspé Region, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 87-095; Cap d’Espoir Lighthouse, Cap d’Espoir, Gaspé Region, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 87-095.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic design, very good functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, for example: the medium-height, tapered octagonal structure with a moulded base and flared cornice; the reinforced concrete construction; the gallery platform with a painted-metal guardrail and a multi-sided red metal lantern, topped by a decorative funned hood and ventilator; the pedimented entranceway and recessed door; the multi-pane windows, recessed at the bottom, and covered with a pedimented cap to shed water; the red and white colour scheme.

The manner in which the Lighthouse reinforces the present picturesque maritime character of its lightstation setting and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by: its overall attractive scale, massing, design and materials, which harmonize with its associated building and coastal surroundings; its visible role as a seacoast marker.

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 lighthouse at Cap d'Espoir was constructed in 1939 to replace an earlier wooden tower at the light station. The designs were by the Engineering Office, Marine Section of the Department of Transport. The Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada is the custodial agency. See FHBRO Report 87-95.

Reason for Designation

The lighthouse was designated Recognized because of its role as one of a group of important Gaspé Coast lighthouses. It is associated with the upgrading of Canada's navigational system during the 1930s. It is a representative example of a classically designed reinforced concrete lighthouse - functionally efficient, and well executed. The lighthouse is a second generation structure on this site.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of the lighthouse resides in its classical design, reinforced concrete construction and its setting.

A simple structure of reinforced concrete, the Cap d'Espoir lighthouse is a well proportioned design, executed in the three classical elements (base, column, capital). The octagonal plan provides much of the grace and aesthetic appeal of the structure.

From the molded base to the flared cornice, the lighthouse is a clear uncluttered example of its type. Its basic composition is complimented by simple classical detailing: the pedimented entranceway, window treatment, flared capital, and molded base. These details are discrete and well executed.

The rugged maritime setting of the light station is reinforced by its being sited on a barren point of land practically ringed by escarpment.

Although buildings have come and gone at Cap d'Espoir, the small size of the site has contributed to the light station's character as a tightly clustered group of buildings. This tradition should be continued at Cap d'Espoir.