Description of Historic Place

The Light Tower is located on a headland known as Lighthouse Point that marks the entrance to one of the finest natural, deep-water harbours on the Great Lakes. The tapered wooden tower is hexagonal in shape with a pine wood-shingle finish and an elegant profile. The Light Tower is capped by a metal gallery with iron and wire rope railing and a cast-iron lantern. Simple gable windows and door heads speak to the tower’s classical inspiration. 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 directly associated with the federal government’s program to provide navigational aids on the Upper Great Lakes. The construction of the Light Tower marks the entrance to the harbour of Tobermory, on the Great Lakes.

Architectural Value
The Light Tower is valued for its good aesthetic qualities as a simply detailed, wooden tapered light tower with a hexagonal shape. The early cast-iron lantern is a well-proportioned feature of the tower that is functional and also contributes to its picturesque, slim profile. The iron and wire rope railing at the gallery and the bracketing detail are lightweight in appearance, which reflects a very good functional design. Good craftsmanship is demonstrated in the simple building construction used for this wood-frame light tower and in the traditional finish materials such as the narrow, wood shingle siding with wide corner boards.

Environmental Value
The Light Tower reinforces the picturesque character of its maritime setting on a headland. The Light Tower is well-known to all mariners in the region and its image has been extensively promoted in travel literature.

Sources: Lighttower, Tobermory, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 90-211; Lighttower, Lighthouse Point, Tobermory, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 90-211.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic design, very good functional design and quality craftsmanship and materials, for example: the tower’s hexagonal footprint and medium-height, tapered massing which is surmounted by a metal bracketed plank gallery and cast-iron lantern; the wood-frame construction; the white painted, narrow, wood shingle siding with wide corner boards and the curved trim pieces in the cover boards at the top of the tower; the gable hoods over the windows with minimal fascias and the simple detailing; the iron and wire rope railing at the gallery; the vertical sliding wood sash windows.

The manner in which the Light Tower reinforces the picturesque character of its maritime setting and is a well-known landmark, as evidenced by: its elegant tapered design, details and cast-iron lantern which contribute to the picturesque setting on a headland; its visibility to mariners in the area as well as its high profile via its promotion in travel literature.

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 lighttower was constructed in 1885. The design was prepared by the Department of Marine and Fisheries. The lighttower has since had minor alterations. The building is currently a fully automated light. The custodian is the Canadian Coast Guard. See FHBRO Building Report 90-211.

Reasons for Designation

The lighthouse was designated Recognized for its architectural importance and environmental significance as well as its historical associations.

The tapered wooden tower has an unusual hexagonal shape contributing to the slim profile. The well proportioned tower is simply detailed, with a metal bracketed super-imposed gallery clearly indicating the utilitarian purpose of the structure. The early cast-iron lantern is a well proportioned feature of the tower and a good example of how functional equipment contributes to the picturesque profile.

The scale and silhouette of the lighttower reinforces the maritime setting on a headland and this reinforces its picturesque qualities. The lighttower is well known to all mariners in the region and its image has been extensively promoted in travel literature.

The construction of the lighttower marks the entrance to the harbour of Tobermory, one of the finest natural deep harbours on the Great Lakes. It is associated with the federal programme to provide navigational aids on the Upper Great Lakes.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Lighthouse Point lighttower resides in its overall massing and proportions, profile, architectural details, construction materials, and site relationships.

The medium height tapered structure has a hexagonal footprint. The simple form supports a lantern, exhaust cowl, and a metal bracketed plank gallery. The profile, massing, and footprint should be maintained. The symmetrically located gabled window and door heads project from the tower shaft, punctuating the simple profile and adding a visual richness which should be respected.

The white painted narrow wood shingle siding with wide corner boards is a traditional finish which reflects the simple building construction used for this lighttower. A unique feature is the curved trim pieces in the cover boards at the top of the tower. The gable hoods over the windows have minimal fascias with simple detailing. The iron and wire rope railing at the gallery and the bracketing detail are light weight in appearance reflecting a functional design. The painted wood shingle wall treatment of the tower has proven durable. When repainting, the colour scheme (white with red accents) if operationally appropriate, should be maintained. The materials would benefit from an on-going maintenance program.

The vertical sliding wood sash windows are sympathetic to the original design and should be maintained. However, some of the glazing has been removed and replaced with solid panels. The loss of natural lighting to the interiors and the 'blind' effect on the exteriors diminish heritage character. When the windows are being repaired, maximum retention of original material is essential and glazing should be reinstalled if operationally appropriate. Conservation expertise is recommended.

The site was significantly changed in the 1950s when the eight-room keeper's dwelling, boathouse and connecting boardwalk were demolished. When the unit paving walkway is ready to be replaced, consideration should be given to reinstating a boardwalk reflecting historic precedent to improve the heritage character.