Description of Historic Place

The Lighthouse in Ste-Marthe de Gaspé shares its site with three associated community buildings on a bank that rises from the shoreline, close to the community of La Martre. The octagonal, wood-frame tower stands out clearly against the horizon with its brightly painted, red shingle cladding and prominent lantern. The tower’s well-proportioned appearance is enhanced with classical elements such as the well-defined plinth and stringcourse near the top and the pedimented porch over the entrance. 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 value.

Historical Value
The Lighthouse illustrates the development of safe navigation in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence. The Department of Marine undertook to upgrade Canada’s navigational system at the turn of the century. The Lighthouse was one of a series of Gulf lighthouses rebuilt with a higher grade of illumination. The Lighthouse is also significant for local development as it provided a vital link to the navigational program of the St. Lawrence, both for world shipping and the local fishing trade. The Lighthouse also serves as a reminder of the area’s maritime prominence lasting over three hundred years.

Architectural Value
The Lighthouse is valued for its very good, classically inspired aesthetic design. The strongly defined plinth and stringcourse near the top divide the tower into three sections echoing the parts of a classical column. Classical references are also apparent in the well-crafted pedimented porch and triangular shaped lintels capping the windows. The Lighthouse is also a representative example of a good functionally designed, wooden octagonal lighthouse dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as evidenced in its sturdy timber-frame construction.

Environmental Value
The Lighthouse reinforces the picturesque character of its coastal maritime setting. The structure is a symbol of the region as a highly visible, distinctive landmark valued by the local community and the tourist.

Sources: Martha Phemister, Ste-Marthe de Gaspé Lighthouse, La Martre (Rivière a la Marthe), Gaspé Region, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 87-093; Ste-Marthe de Gaspé Lighthouse, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 87-093.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its classically-inspired aesthetic design, good functional design, and very good materials
and craftsmanship, for example: the well-proportioned eight-sided tower divided into three sections echoing the
parts of a classical column and topped with a prominent lantern; the classical references, including the strongly defined plinth and string course, the pedimented porch over the entrance way, and the triangular shaped lintels capping the windows; the sturdy timber and frame construction; the walls lined with shingles painted bright red, and the white vertical stripe painted on
the seaward side of the tower.

The manner in which the Lighthouse in Ste-Marthe de Gaspé reinforces the picturesque character of its coastal maritime setting and is a symbol of the region, as evidenced by: its scale, classically-inspired design and details and its wood construction which accentuate the natural shoreline environment and local maritime community; its bright red colour scheme which harmonizes with its associated outbuildings to
provide an effective, visual daymark; its highly visible, and distinctive appearance to mariners and to the community, given its
scale, brick red painted shingles and the white vertical stripe on its seaward side; its status as a symbol of the region, highly valued by local residents, and its attraction to
tourists given its strong visual value and its presence as an historic site.

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 Ste-Marthe de Gaspé Lighthouse was constructed in 1906 by the Department of Marine. The building is the property of the Ministry of Transportation. See FHBRO Building Report 87-93.

Reasons for Designation

The Ste-Marthe de Gaspé Lighthouse was designated Recognized because it is a representative example of wooden octagonal lighthouses dating from the 19th and 20th centuries and on the basis of its role as a highly distinctive historical and visual landmark valued by the local community and the tourist.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character resides in the well proportioned eight-sided timber and frame tower, its classically inspired designs, and its materials and color.

Elements which derive from the classical architectural vocabulary are the strongly defined plinth and string course, the pedimented porch over the entrance way and the triangular shaped lintels capping the windows.

The building stands out clearly against the horizon because the shingles that line the outside walls are painted bright red. As a daymark for mariners it is easily distinguishable because of the white vertical stripe painted on the seaward side of the tower.

Maintenance and repair should be carried out strictly within the context of existing architectural vocabulary, materials and design. The Ste-Marthe Lighthouse and its associated outbuildings provide an effective, striking and visual landmark. The picturesque quality of the area must be preserved.