Description of Historic Place

The Light Tower at Carmanah is a short, octagonal concrete structure that sits on a point 41.45 meters (136 feet) above high water, on a site cleared from the extremely dense rainforest. Composed of a short tapered shaft capped by a lantern walkway and enormous 3rd Order Light, a pedimented doorway and heavy concrete balustrade complete its classically-inspired design. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Light Tower is associated with the upgrading of existing navigational aids in the early 1900s to improve the safety of maritime commerce at remote coastal locations.

Architectural Value
The Light Tower is a very good example of a functional structure whose design recalls the classically-inspired tripartite division of base, shaft and capital, common to many concrete towers of the era. Unlike many West Coast light towers built in the first decade of the 20th century, the Light Tower at Carmanah was not built from a standard design.

The Environmental Value
An important marker in an isolated and rugged coastal environment, the Light Tower at Carmanah is well-known in its region and is compatible with the setting.

Sources: Lighttower, Carmanah, British Columbia, Heritage Character Statement, 90-066; Gordon Fulton, Lighttower, Carmanah Amphitrite Point, Cape Mudge, Brockton Point, Ballenas Point, British Columbia, Federal Heritage Buildings Report, 90-066.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its classically inspired functional design, good craftsmanship and materials such as: its tapered massing consisting of a short, octagonal shaft capped by a heavy concrete gallery balustrade; its prominent lantern, coving and bracketing, gallery guardrails and its projecting windows and door; its cast-in-place concrete construction; its pedimented entrance; its painted steel and the glass detailing of the lantern.

The manner in which the Light Tower functions as an important marker in its region as evidenced by: its visible location on the coastline.

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 Carmanah lighttower was constructed in 1921-22. It was designed by the Department of Marine and Fisheries. The building continues to be used as a working lighttower. The Canadian Coast Guard is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 90-066.

Reasons For Designation
The lighttower has been designated Recognized because of its architectural importance and environmental significance, as well as for its historical associations.

This tapered octagonal concrete lighttower is of interest architecturally for its stocky profile, pedimented doorway and balustrade which reveal the classical inspiration for the design. The small windows, gabled roof entrance and flared ribs at the platform contribute to the clean, uncluttered design of the tower.

The lighttower functions as an important marker in the coastal environment. The building is well known in its locale and contributes significantly to the maritime character of the site.

Historically, the lighttower is associated with the upgrading of existing navigational aids in the early 1900s to improve the safety of maritime commerce at remote coastal locations.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Carmanah lighttower resides in its overall form, profile, construction materials, architectural details, and site relationships.

The tapered massing consists of a short shaft capped by a lantern walkway, and recalls the classical tripartite division of base, shaft and capital. The massing, profile and footprint should be respected in any alterations or additions, as should the proportional relationship of tower shaft to lantern. The prominent lantern, the coving and bracketing, the gallery guardrails, and the projecting windows and door are all features that merit protection through their on-going maintenance.

The character of the lighttower facade is derived from the construction material, cast-in-place concrete, and from the classically inspired details. The simple coved cornice, the crisply executed pedimented entrance, and the sturdy balustrade contribute to the visually rich profile and should be carefully maintained and respected in any alterations. The change in material afforded by the painted steel and glass detailing of the lantern is expressive of the industrial character of this component and contributes to the textural character of the lighttower. The concrete and steel merit an ongoing maintenance program employing conservation expertise.

The original windows were wood sash windows with small multiple panes which also contributed to the texture and detail of the facade. The contemporary replacement windows appear to be wood sashes, but have large-scaled single panes of glass. When replacing windows, consideration should be given to selecting windows that are sympathetic to the original design intent.

The surviving original interior materials and finishes of the lighttower may be significant to the heritage character of the structure, and should be documented. Any modification to the interior should be predicated on maximum retention of original material.

The character of the site is defined by the cleared, predominantly grassed plane in the midst of a rain forest. If operationally appropriate, the site lines to the ocean and the relationship of the lighttower to its associated buildings, walkways and fencing should be maintained. Existing ornamental shrub planting should not be expanded as it would undermine the utilitarian character of the site.