Description of Historic Place

The Tower at Miscou Island is surrounded by scrubland on a flat, exposed section of low coastline. It consists of a shingle clad, wooden tapered octagonal tower and a lantern caps the tower. The exterior is finished in white with red trim. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Tower is associated with the provision of aids to navigation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The light served shipping entering the Baie des Chaleurs where there was considerable shipbuilding and commerce in lumber and fish, and it also aided coastal traffic between the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec.

Architectural Value
The Tower is one of a number of wooden, octagonal, tapered towers, which survive from the pre-Confederation period in Canada. The construction technique was unusual as the eight panels were all built independently of each other.

Environmental Value
The Tower reinforces the present picturesque, maritime character of Miscou Island and helps to establish it as an important region for shipping. The tower is well known to the marine community and is a familiar regional landmark both to residents and tourists. In 1974, the Tower was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

Sources: Miscou Island Light Tower, Birch Point, Miscou Island, New Brunswick. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 90-289; Miscou Island Light Tower, Birch Point, Miscou Island, New Brunswick; Heritage Character Statement 90-289.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its aesthetic design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the building’s form and massing, consisting of a tapered octagonal tower, tall profile, surmounted by a lantern; the windows with pediment-shaped lintels located in the shaft; the four guide wires that anchor the structure to the site; the pedimented caps or shed roofs over the windows; the exterior finished in white with red trim.

The manner in which the Tower reinforces the picturesque, maritime setting and acts as a regional landmark as evidenced by: the structure’s location on the flat, open island; the Tower’s recognition within the shipping community due to its high visibility.

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.

Miscou Island light tower was constructed in 1856. The tower has been moved from its original site. The owner is Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard. See FHBRO Building Report 90-289.

Reasons for Designation
The Miscou Island light tower was designated Recognized because of its historical associations, its aesthetic and functional design and its status as a landmark.

The light tower is associated with the theme of providing aids to navigation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The light served shipping entering the Baie des Chaleurs where there was considerable shipbuilding and commerce in lumber and fish, and it also aided coastal traffic between the Atlantic provinces and Quebec. It continues to serve these marine communities today.

Miscou Island light tower is one of a number of wooden, octagonal, tapered towers which survive from the pre-Confederation period in Canada. The construction technique was unusual as the eight panels were all built independently of each other. The panels are supported by columns on the interior of the structure.

The light tower has long been a landmark to the marine community but is also well known to residents and tourists. In May 1974 the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada declared the Miscou Island light tower to be of national historic and architectural significance.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character resides in the form, proportions, simple decoration details, construction and materials of the tower.

The light tower consists of a shingle-clad, wooden (heavy timber construction), tapered, octagonal tower. The tower is capped by the original lantern. The form, proportions and materials of the tower and the lantern should be maintained.

The four-over-four sash windows, the curved soffit beneath the lantern deck and the shed roofs or pedimented caps over the openings contribute to the aesthetic qualities of the tower and these elements should be carefully preserved.

The tower is painted in the characteristic colours of the maritime lights - white with red trim. This colour scheme should be respected.

The tower sits on a flat and exposed location, surrounded by low scrubland. The dominance of the tower on the skyline of this low coastline should not be compromised.