Description of Historic Place

The Lighthouse at Nine Mile Point is a circular stone tower with gracefully tapered sides situated at the southwest tip of Simcoe Island, nine miles (14.5 kms) out from Kingston. The 40-foot (12.2 m) Lighthouse is constructed of rubblestone painted white and supports a prominent red lantern. An arched doorway provides access to a spiral staircase. The adjacent fog alarm building and the contemporary fog alarm complete the ensemble. 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 values.

Historical Value:
The Lighthouse is closely associated with the provision of navigational aids for marine traffic on the approaches to the St. Lawrence River system and the entrance to Kingston Harbour. Part of a trio of lighthouses, the lighthouse continues to serve as one of the key navigational aids in this treacherous section of Lake Ontario.

Architectural Value:
The Lighthouse is valued for its good aesthetic design and is an early example of an imperial light, a common lighthouse built between 1830 and 1860. The imperial lights were characterized by a tapered, circular tower, rubblestone construction and a spiral staircase, characteristics seen in the design of the Lighthouse. It is one of the earliest imperial lighthouses still in service. Excellent functional design and good craftsmanship are evidenced in the two-and-a-half-foot (76 cm) thick rubblestone wall.

Environmental Value:
The Lighthouse reinforces the picturesque maritime character of Simcoe Island. The Lighthouse is well known to the shipping community and is a conspicuous landmark.

Sources:
Marilyn E. Armstrong Reynolds, Nine Mile Point Lighthouse, Simcoe Island, Lake Ontario, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Report 88-106; Nine Mile Point Lighthouse, Simcoe Island, Lake Ontario, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 88-106.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetics and excellent functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the building’s cylindrical form and massing, tall profile and flared platform surmounted by an iron lantern; the two-and-a-half foot (76 cm) thick rubblestone exterior walls; the placement of windows and the arched door; the wooden spiral stairway through which descends a system of weights for rotating the beacon; the white-painted exterior and the red-painted lantern.

The manner in which the Lighthouse reinforces the picturesque, maritime setting on Simcoe Island, and acts as a landmark as evidenced by: the aspects of its design and materials that complement its picturesque maritime setting; the Lighthouse’s high visibility due to its location at the western tip of Simcoe Island, which makes it a familiar landmark to the shipping community.

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 Nine Mile Point lighthouse was erected in 1833 under the direction of the Board of Lighthouse Commissioners for the government of Upper Canada. It joined two existing lighthouses. Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard is the custodian of the lightstation. See FHBRO Building Report No. 88-106.

Reason for Designation

The Nine Mile Point lighthouse was designated "Recognized" because of its unique functional design, because its rubblestone construction is a good example of the application of masonry in maritime construction, because of its importance in the development of the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence navigation system and its influence upon Kingston's growth as an important maritime centre.

The Nine Mile Point lighthouse is an early example of an imperial light, a common lighthouse type built between 1830 and 1860. The imperial lights were characterized by a tapered, circular tower, rubblestone construction and a spiral staircase. These characteristics are evident in the design of the Nine Mile Point lighthouse. Despite minor changes to the lantern, Nine Mile Point Lighthouse has retained most of its integrity, making it one of the earliest imperial lighthouses still in service today. Part of a trio, it continues to guide vessels through the treacherous waters of the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of this structure resides in its circular tapered form, and in its rubblestone construction.

The 40-foot tower consists of a two-and-a-half foot thick rubblestone wall finished with a cornice of stepped corbelling. The central core of the lighthouse houses a wooden spiral stairway through which a system of weights, still intact, descends. These were used for the rotation of the beacon. All of these components are of considerable importance in the history of early maritime construction in Upper Canada and should be preserved. As for their maintenance or repair, it would be advisable to use only traditional methods and materials, particularly for any repointing.

Since this structure has suffered moisture damage, research should be conducted in order to find ways to eliminate, or else control, this excess moisture condition. In addition, a regular maintenance program is needed in order to keep the rubblestone facing in good condition.

This lighthouse continues to be a valuable navigational aid for pleasure boaters in the region. This role is completely compatible with its heritage character, and it would be desirable for this situation to remain unchanged in the future.