Description of Historic Place

The Lighthouse looks out over Georgian Bay from the water’s edge. The square tower is a tapered, wooden structure of sturdy appearance appended to a one-storey, rectangular dwelling with a gable roof and a small addition. The Lighthouse features a gallery and a prominent lantern. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Lighthouse is associated with a 19th-century program to improve commercial navigation in Canada through the provision of navigational aids on the Great Lakes. It has continuously served its navigation function since it opened in 1889. The present Lighthouse, with integrated lightkeeper’s dwelling, was the first building to be constructed at the site, although a rudimentary beacon predated it. The Lighthouse was destaffed in 1983, but continues to house automatic coastal and range lights. Since 1995, the building has been leased to the local township, which operates a seasonal tourist attraction, museum and shop on the site.

Architectural Value
Utilitarian in nature, the Lighthouse is valued for its good aesthetic design. The lantern is a prominent feature whose scale reinforces the sturdy and durable appearance of the tower. The Lighthouse is an example of the numerous square-tapered wooden lighttowers, many with attached keeper’s dwellings, which were erected by the Department of Marine and Fisheries during the 1870s and 1880s. By using inexpensive materials, utilitarian designs, and traditional construction methods, the Department sought to quickly establish lighthouses along all Canadian coasts. The cornice and gallery handrail exhibit good craftsmanship.

Environmental Value
The Lighthouse is compatible with the maritime character of its waterfront setting. The structure is well-known to the shipping community and is a well-known regional landmark that has been extensively promoted in tourist literature.

Sources: Gordon Fulton, Benchmark Building Reports 93-053, 93-054, 93-055, 93-056, 93-057 93-061, including, Lighttower and Fog Alarm Building, Mississagi Strait, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 93-061; Point-au-Baril Lighttower, Point-au-Baril, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 93-061.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic, functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the simple, functional design and traditional materials, including a square-tapered tower, hexagonal lantern, tower balcony, wooden construction, and integrated lightkeeper’s dwelling; the seamless joining of the tower and dwelling by continuing the angle of the tapered wall contributes to the integrity of the original design.

The manner in which the Lighthouse is compatible with the present character of the maritime setting and together is a familiar regional landmark for maritime traffic as evidenced by: the building’s association with its water’s edge setting; the structure’s visibility to passing maritime traffic, to visiting tourists, and its high local profile through its current role as a museum, and promotion tourist literature, make it a familiar landmark.

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 Pointe-au-Baril Lighttower was built on Georgian Bay in 1888-89 by contractor Charles Mickler for the federal Department of Marine and Fisheries. The present Lighttower, with integrated lightkeeper's dwelling, was the first building to be constructed at the site, although it was predated by a rudimentary beacon. The building was altered by the addition of two rooms and bathroom facilities in 1957. Aluminum siding and steel roofing were installed in 1989 and the tower balcony railing was replaced at an unknown date. Much of the structure's clapboard siding and wood detailing is still intact under the new siding and roofing. The custodian is the Canadian Coast Guard. The Lighttower was destaffed in 1983, but continues to house automatic coastal and range lights. Since 1995, the building has been leased to the local township, which operates a seasonal tourist attraction, museum and shop on the site.

Reasons for Designation

The Pointe-au-Baril Lighttower has been designated 'Recognized' because of its historical and environmental significance:

Historical Significance
The Lighttower is associated with a 19th-century program to improve commercial navigation in Canada through the provision of navigational aids on the Great Lakes. It has continuously served its navigation function since it opened in 1889.

Architectural Significance
The Lighttower is an example of the numerous square-tapered wooden lighttowers, many with attached keeper's dwellings, which were erected by the Department of Marine and Fisheries during the 1870s and 1880s. By using cheap materials, utilitarian designs, and traditional construction methods, the Department sought to quickly establish lighthouses along all Canadian coasts.

Environmental Significance
The Lighttower's waterfront site on Georgian Bay is virtually unchanged since its construction. In addition to its navigational role, the Lighttower provides a physical and cultural focus for the Pointe-au-Baril area.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Pointe-au-Baril Lighttower resides in the following character-defining elements:
-Its simple, functional design and traditional materials, including a square-tapered tower, hexagonal lantern, tower balcony, wooden construction, and integrated lightkeeper's dwelling. The seamless joining of the tower and dwelling by continuing the angle of the tapered wall contributes to the integrity of the original design.
-The Lighttower's isolated site on a rocky promontory directly adjacent to the water's edge.

All maintenance and repair work, as well as future interventions, should respect these character-defining elements.