Description of Historic Place

Situated on an island at the entrance of the Georgian Bay, the Tower in the Cove Island Lightstation is a tall, stone structure, round with a slight taper and slightly corbelled outward at the top to form a gallery and base for the 12-sided polygonal lantern. There is very little detailing, which emphasizes the rugged quality of its stone construction. There are small, narrow window openings staggered around the tower and the doorway is rounded at the top. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Tower is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values

Historical Value
The Tower, constructed as one of the so-called ‘Imperial Towers’, is a very good example illustrating the installation of lighthouses on the Great Lakes beginning in 1804. The opening of the Bruce Peninsula for settlement in the mid-1850’s, a free-trade agreement with the United Stated in 1854, and the Sault. Ste. Marie Canal in 1855 prompted the need for navigational aids and the establishment of these towers.

Architectural Value
The Tower counts among the few constructed of stone and is an excellent example of functional design of a strong and stable structure that is aesthetically pleasing. It employs materials and craftsmanship of the highest standard, and is a very good example of the work of the contractor John Brown and one of the best examples of the work of the pre-confederation Canadian Board of Works. The Tower is characterized by its elegant proportions and its simple construction of rusticated stone.

Environmental Value
As a tall, elegant structure on a picturesque coastal site, the Tower reinforces the region’s scenic quality and maritime character and adds greatly to the interest of boating within its immediate scenic area. The Cove Island Lightstation’s Tower is well located to be seen by many recreational boaters, being within Fathom Five National Marine Park of Canada and near Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada. As the primary light at the entrance to Georgian Bay, it is also the tower most depended upon by commercial traffic in this region. A known landmark within its area both the tower and its outbuildings have had strong public interest and support.

Sources: Joan Mattie, Four ‘Imperial Towers’: lighthouses at Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 90-216; Cove Island Lightstation: Tower Tower, Lake Huron, Griffith Island, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 90-216.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its highest quality functional design and aesthetic, materials and craftsmanship as manifested in: its tall, round, slightly tapered form corbelled at the top to form a gallery and base for the lantern; its twelve-sided polygonal lantern, which provides an important component of the structure and includes three rows of rectangular glass panes, segmentally ridged domed roofs topped by ventilators in the shape of ball pinnacles, and twelve bronze lion’s heads at each angle of the eaves line; its structural system employing heavy timber to provide lateral stability with inner and outer whites of cut masonry with rubble infill providing compressive strength; its masonry detailing; its whitewash finish; its round-headed doorway and small, narrow windows with plain stone sills staggered around the tower; its interior components of wooden stairwell, curved cast-iron-and-wood stairs and straight and steep stairs.

The manner in which the Tower in its picturesque coastal setting reinforces the region’s scenic and maritime character and adds greatly to the interest of boating within its immediate scenic area.

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 Cove Island Lightstation Tower was built from 1855 to 1859 under the authority of the Board of Works, Canada West, by the contractor John Brown. It continues to serve its original purpose. Transport Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 90-216.

Reasons for Designation

The Cove Island Lightstation Tower was designated Classified because of its thematic association with the opening of navigation on Lake Huron and points west. The designation also recognizes its aesthetic and functional design, which is of the highest quality, and its picturesque setting and landmark status.

One of the so-called "Imperial Towers", this tower is associated with the installation of lighthouses on the Great Lakes beginning in 1804. The opening of the Bruce Peninsula for settlement in the mid 1850s, a free-trade agreement with the United States in 1854, and the Sault Ste. Marie Canal in 1855 prompted the need for navigational aids and the establishment of these towers. One of the most attractive lighthouses in Canada, this tower counts among the few constructed of stone (wood, iron and concrete being more typical). Of excellent functional design, the tower is as strong and stable as it is aesthetically pleasing. It employs materials and craftsmanship of the highest standard, typical of the work of the contractor, John Brown.

A tall handsome structure on a picturesque site, the tower adds greatly to the interest of boating within the area.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Cove Island Lighthouse resides in its elegant proportions and its simple rusticated stone construction. Architectural features of this structure which are of note, and which should be preserved, include its masonry detailing; its whitewash finish (dating to 1871); its tall, round, slightly tapered form corbelled at the top to form a gallery and base for the lantern; its round-headed doorway and small, narrow windows with plain stone sills staggered around the tower; and its magnificent twelve-sided polygonal lantern manufactured by the Louis Saulter Company of Paris. The lantern provides an important component of the appearance of the structure, and includes three rows of rectangular glass panes; a segmentally ridged domed roof topped by a ventilator in the shape of a ball pinnacle; and twelve bronze lions' heads at each angle of the eaves line. Continued conservation of this feature is encouraged.

The tower's structural system employs heavy timber to provide lateral stability, with inner and outer wythes of cut masonry with rubble infill providing compressive strength. Regular examination and timely conservation work should be undertaken to ensure the continued integrity of the wood members, especially where they are set into the masonry walls. Repair work should respect the integrity of the structural system.

Interior components which merit preservation include the first storey wooden stairwell, curved cast-iron-and-wood stairs to the second and upper levels, straight, steep wooden stairs to intermediate levels, zinc fuel stands, metal flooring, floor brackets, the optic pedestal, and ventilation devices. Modifications related to the ongoing use of the building should be designed with minimal impact on historic fabric.

Associated outbuildings contribute to the character of the site and should be maintained if possible. Development of adjacent land would reduce this historic appearance and should be discouraged.