Description of Historic Place

The Lighthouse is located on Mohawk Island in Lake Erie, near Rockpoint Provincial Park. It is a tapered, cylindrical stone tower with an integrated, rectangular lighthouse keeper’s residence. The tower’s prominent stringcourse emphasizes the tower’s contrasting smooth and rusticated stonework. The lantern platform’s iron railing is supported on stone corbelling. The lantern is missing. 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 the early history of the Welland Canal, one of Canada’s most important early waterways. The canal opened in 1829 and was substantially rebuilt and improved in 1845. Construction of the Lighthouse on Mohawk Island began in 1846 to serve as a navigational aid at the southern end of the Canal.

Architectural Value:
The Lighthouse is valued for its good aesthetics and its very good functional design. The influence of the Neoclassical style can be seen in the hammer-dressed stonework, the symmetrical massing and the placement of openings. It is the only extant, stone-built, integrated lighttower and residence in Canada. The tapered stone tower remains solid and upright, testimony to the very good materials used, and also to the craftsmanship of John Brown the Scottish stonemason who built the structure.

Environmental Value:
The Lighthouse is compatible with the picturesque maritime character of Mohawk Island and Mohawk Island National Wildlife Area. The Lighthouse is familiar to the shipping community and is a regional landmark.

Sources: Joan Mattie, Mohawk Island former Lighthouse/Dwelling, Mohawk Island National Wildlife Area, Mohawk Island, Lake Erie, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 92-051; Main Duck Island Lighthouse, Mohawk Island, Lake Erie, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 92-051.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic design with classical influences, very good functional design, and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the building’s tall profile, cylindrical form and the integration of the simple residence; the Neoclassical design and detailing of the tower and dwelling, exhibited in the symmetrical massing of tower and dwelling, the symmetrical placement of arched door and window openings, and quoins; the tower’s wide string course set above the ridge level of the dwelling; the tower’s tall, narrow windows that punctuate alternate sides at each floor level; the hammer-dressed finish on the stone walls of the tower and dwelling, giving a heavily rusticated appearance.

The manner in which the Lighthouse is compatible with the picturesque, maritime setting of Mohawk Island, and acts as a regional landmark as evidenced by: the picturesque quality of its design and form, as seen in the height of the lighthouse in relation to the flat terrain of the island, which complements the natural island environment; the structure’s visibility to passing maritime traffic and familiarity to local residents, pleasure boaters and visitors to the National Wildlife 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 Mohawk Island Lighthouse was built in 1846-48 by contractor John Brown for the Board of Works, Canada West. The design is attributed to John B. McIntyre, the board's Superintendent of Lights. The light was automated in 1932 and discontinued in 1969. The exterior walls are all that remain of the original structure. The octagonal iron lantern with its flared roof is no longer extant on the tower and all of the wood elements of both the tower and its residence have disappeared. The custodian is Environment Canada. The building is located within the Mohawk Island National Wildlife Area.

Reasons for Designation

The Mohawk Island Lighthouse has been designated 'Recognized' because of its historical, architectural and environmental significance:

Historical Significance
The Mohawk Island Lighthouse is closely associated with the early history of the Welland Canal, one of Canada's most important commercial waterways. The Canal opened in 1829 and was substantially rebuilt and improved in 1845. Construction of the Mohawk Island Lighthouse began in 1846 to serve as a navigational aid at the southern end of the Canal.

Architectural Significance
The Mohawk Island Lighthouse consists of an 18-metre tower and an integrated lighthouse keeper's residence. It is the only extant integrated lighthouse tower and residence in Canada constructed of stone. The influence of the Neoclassical style can be seen in the hammer-dressed stonework and the symmetrical massing and opening placement. The tapered stone tower remains solid and upright, testimony to the quality of its craftsmanship and materials and to the skills and talents of the builder, John Brown. Brown was a Scottish stonemason who was also responsible for rebuilding some of the Welland Canal locks. The design of the Lighthouse has been credited to John B. McIntyre, Superintendent of Lights for the Board of Works, Canada West.

Environmental Significance
Due to its visibility and location on an island near Rockpoint Provincial Park, the Mohawk Island Lighthouse is well-known to local residents, boaters and park visitors.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Mohawk Island Lighthouse resides in the following character-defining elements:

- The Neoclassical design and detailing of the tower and dwelling, exhibited in the symmetrical massing of tower and dwelling and symmetrical placement of door and window openings. The tall, tapered, circular tower is broken only by a wide string course above the ridge of the dwelling, and tall, narrow windows that punctuate alternate sides at each floor level. The openings on the dwelling feature arched tops and quoin details.

- The hammer-dressed finish on the stone walls of the tower and dwelling, giving a heavily rusticated appearance.

- The height of the lighthouse in relation to the flat terrain of the island.

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