Description of Historic Place

The Tower is located on a remote, rocky site at Bull Head. It is a tall, tapered, cast-iron tower with a strong base, elegant shaft and elaborate lantern. The lantern and cap has a prominent platform, handrail and weathervane. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Tower is associated with the development of safe trans-Atlantic navigation, particularly in the development of safe navigation in Newfoundland. The Tower also illustrates the theme of growing industrialization at the turn of the century.

Architectural Value
The Tower is a very good example of a standard, prefabricated Tower with good cast-iron construction technology. One of a grouping of Towers favoured because of their inexepensive cost, ease of erection, low maintenance requirements and long-term durability, this structure reflects the desire to achieve a design that would withstand the rigours of the Newfoundland coast.

Environmental Value
The Tower reinforces the character of its coastal setting and is a landmark for local fishermen and commercial vessels.

Sources: Joan Mattie, Six Cast Iron Towers in Newfoundland: Ferryland Head, Double Island, Long Island, East End Long Island, Bull Head, Harbour Point,Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 90-145, 91-031, 91-033, 91-034, 91-035; Tower: Bull Head, Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 91-034.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its standard prefabricated cast-iron design, functional qualities and good construction, for example: the cylindrical massing of the cast-iron tower that consists of a strong base, tapered shaft and elaborate lantern; the lantern and cap with its prominent platform, handrail and weathervane; the construction system, comprised of rounded rectangular segments bolted together on the interior face; the small windows.

The manner in which the Tower at Bull Head reinforces the character of its coastal setting, and is a local landmark, as evidenced by: the overall form and massing of the tower, which is the dominant element in the setting; the high visibility of the tower to passing sea-going vessels.

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 Bull Head was built in 1908. It was most likely assembled from parts manufactured in Britain. Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 91-34.
Reasons for Designation

The Bull Head Lighthouse was designated Recognized for its aesthetic and functional design, its landmark qualities, and its historical associations.

Well proportioned and sparsely detailed, the lighthouse is important as a modest but intact example of cast-iron construction technology. This light is one of a group of about 26 lighthouses of prefabricated iron and steel construction, thought to be the only remaining examples of their type in Canada. Favoured because of their inexpensive cost, ease of erection, low maintenance requirements and long-term durability, these structures reflect the growing industrialization at the turn of the century and the desire to achieve a design that would withstand the rigours of the Newfoundland coast.
The lighthouse admirably fulfils its role as a landmark on a rugged, isolated site, and illustrates the theme of navigational aids in Newfoundland when it was a British colony with an economy almost totally oriented toward the sea.

Character Defining Features
The heritage character of this lighthouse resides in its form, materials, construction details and setting.

The tall, slightly tapered tower has excellent proportions, with the suggestion of a classical column in its prominent base, elegant shaft and elaborate lantern. The utilitarian character of the tower is reflected in its smooth tubular form and small windows. Its construction system, comprised of rounded rectangular segments bolted together on the interior face, should be respected, and repairs executed in like materials, or materials closely matched on the galvanic scale, to avoid galvanic corrosion. The base of the tower should be kept clear of vegetation and decaying matter, and a sound protective paint layer must be maintained. Regular inspection and maintenance, and consultation with a metals conservator, are recommended. Early window sash should be retained and repaired.

Alterations which might affect the structure's profile should be resisted.
The lantern and cap with its prominent platform, handrail and weathervane is a focal point of the composition and should be preserved without alteration.
The rugged, exposed nature of the site contributes to the lighthouse's heritage character and landmark status. The sparse, utilitarian character of the site should be protected.