Description of Historic Place

The attractive Tower and Fog Alarm at Wood Islands, with its attached dwelling is located on the flat, coastal landscape on the southeastern coast of Prince Edward Island. It is a tapered, medium-height tower joined to a one-storey gable-roofed structure, both of which are clad in white-painted wood shingles. A red chimney projects from the roof of the dwelling and a red-painted metal and glass, multi-sided lantern crowns the tower. A small, fog alarm balcony is located at one side of the tower. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Tower and Fog Alarm is associated with the post-Confederation building campaigns to improve maritime safety by building an extensive network of coastal lights. The inclusion of dwellings at the Tower and Fog Alarm reflected the importance of maintaining the lights at these locations.

Architectural Value
The Tower and Fog Alarm is valued for its very good aesthetic design. The medium height, square tapered Tower and Fog Alarm, attached to a dwelling, is a picturesque example of the lighttower type. Constructed of wood, the Tower and Fog Alarm exhibits the simplified and smooth appearance typical of marine buildings. The good functional layout of the building reflected departmental guidelines in providing ample room for the keeper and his family. Displaying good craftsmanship, the wood detailing of the coved cornice and gallery guardrails are distinct features of the design.

Environmental Value
The Tower and Fog Alarm is compatible with the picturesque maritime character of its coastal setting. The Tower and Fog Alarm functions as an important marker of the associated remote environment and is well-known in the area.

Sources: Gordon Fulton, Tower and Fog Alarm and Fog Alarm, Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office; Building Report, 90-266. Tower and Fog Alarm, Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, Heritage Character Statement, 90-266.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic and functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, for example: the rectangular footprint and the massing, which is comprised of a square, tapered
medium-height tower joined to a one-storey structure that has a shingled gabled roof; the wood frame construction; the wood shingle siding; the fog alarm balcony, the coved cornice, gallery platform and the cross- braced
guardrail; the projecting door and window heads; the metal and glass lantern; the multi-pane wood sash windows; the colour scheme; the surviving significant features and finishes of the interior.

The manner in which the Tower and Fog Alarm is compatible with the picturesque maritime character of its coastal setting, and is a well-known landmark within the area, as evidenced by: its overall attractive scale, massing, design and materials, which is compatible with the
associated flat, coastal landscape; its visible and familiar role as an important marker of 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 lighttower at Wood Islands was constructed in 1875-76. It was designed by the Department of Marine and Fisheries. Alterations to the lighttower with dwelling have included re-roofing. The building is currently a fully automated lighttower. The Canadian Coast Guard is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 90-266.

Reasons For Designation

The lighttower was designated Recognized because of its architectural importance and environmental significance, and also for its historical associations.

The simple and attractive design of the square tapered lighttower attached to a dwelling is a picturesque example of the lighttower type. The wooden lighttower is integrated with the dwelling in a smooth, simplified, and sleek manner. The coved cornice is a prominent feature. The lay-out of these towers reflected departmental guidelines in providing ample room for the keeper and his family.

The scale and silhouette of the lighttower is compatible with the associated flat, coastal landscape. The lighttower functions as an important marker of the associated coastal environment. The building is well known in its locale and contributes to the maritime character of the site.

The lighttower is associated with post-Confederation building campaigns to improve maritime safety by building an extensive network of coastal lights. The inclusion of a dwelling at the lighttower reflects the importance of maintaining the light at this location.
Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Wood Islands lighttower resides in its overall massing, profile, architectural features, construction materials, and site relationships.

The lighttower massing is comprised of a square, tapered medium-height tower joined to a one storey gable-roofed structure. The footprint is a series of offset rectangular shapes contributing to the picturesque profile. The profile includes a prominent coved cornice, a chimney, the gallery guardrail and lantern as well as the projecting door and window heads. These reinforce the simple, functional design of the structure and should be maintained. The lantern is a prominent feature, appropriately proportioned to the tower, and contributing to the sturdy and durable appearance.


The picturesque quality of the lighttower derives from the contrast of the simple details of the wood shingle siding and the fine cove detailing with the smooth, larger-scaled wood detailing of the bracketed cornice and gallery guardrails. This is the main material and textural contrast which should be respected. The metal and glass detailing of the lantern is expressive of the industrial character of this component. The materials, siding and metal would benefit from an ongoing maintenance program.

The current roofing of the dwelling is asphalt shingles having a smooth, modern appearance which reduces the heritage character. At the end of its life, installing a wood shingle roof should be considered as it would improve the heritage character.

The multi-paned wood sash windows are sympathetic to the heritage character and should be maintained. The wood entrance door appears to be a modern replacement with simpler detailing and when being replaced it would be appropriate to select a door of a style more in keeping with the age of the structure.

Surviving materials and finishes of the original interiors should be documented and maintained.

The open, undeveloped site upon which the lighttower has been placed underscores the utilitarian aspect of the design and function, and it should be maintained. The Lighttower is well known, and functions as an important landmark both from land and sea-side. The chain link fence enclosure is unsympathetic to the original unenclosed character of the site. When operations and safety allow, the removal of the fence should be considered.