Description of Historic Place

The Light Tower (Front) is one of two identically designed towers in St. Louis Park, a municipal recreation space on the waterfront. Shorter than its twin, the front range tower is located at the end of a wharf at the park. It is a white-painted metal, tapered tower of squat proportions set on a concrete base. An attractive, decorative metal cupola with sliding doors houses the light apparatus and is accessed by a circular, metal gallery platform accented by corbels. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Light Tower is associated with the establishment of major industries in Lachine, which were attracted by the proximity of maritime and rail transportation corridors.

Architectural Value
The Light Tower is valued for its good aesthetic and very good functional design. It has elegant proportions and is an extremely rare example of a circular metal tower outside of Newfoundland. One of two matching towers at the site, it was built using the metal-working techniques developed in the early part of the 20th century for shipbuilding and boiler-making. The techniques consist of assembling slightly curved steel plates and fastening them with rivets to form a truncated cone. Steel was used because it was resistant and easy to maintain, provided it was properly protected against corrosion.

Environmental Value
The Light Tower reinforces the maritime character of its recreational setting at St. Louis Park. It is a well-known landmark in the region.

Sources: Joan Mattie, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 89-172; Lachine Lighthouse, Bicquette Island, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 87-088.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic and very good functional design, and good craftsmanship and materials, as for example: the tapered massing composed of a concrete base, two cylindrical sections and an attractive metal cupola that houses the light apparatus; the metal construction and components; the circular gallery platform and railing accented by corbels; the sliding door system; the two lateral openings.

The manner in which the Light Tower reinforces the maritime character of its recreation park setting and is a well-known landmark in the region, as evidenced by: its overall design and materials, which harmonize with its park and wharf surroundings; its role as a landmark to pleasure boaters and Canadian Coast Guard vessels; its visibility and familiarity to tourists and residents of the region, due to its prominent location at the wharf entrance of the popular municipal recreation park.

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 two lighthouses or range lights, front and rear, are located at the western entrance of the Lachine Canal. They were built in 1900 for the Department of Railways and Canals. They are now owned and managed by the Canadian Coast Guard. See FHBRO Report 89-172.

Reasons For Designation

The lighthouses have been designated Recognized because they illustrate an important period of local history and contribute to the maritime character of St. Louis Park. Moreover, they are rare examples of circular metal towers outside Newfoundland.

The presence of the lighthouses recalls the early part of the century, which was characterized by the establishment of major industries in Lachine, attracted by the proximity of maritime and rail transportation corridors. Although the lighthouses no longer serve the main channel, they continue to be used as landmarks by pleasure boaters and Canadian Coast Guard vessels.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of the lighthouses derives from their proportions, method of constructidon and choice of materials.

The towers were built using the metal-working techniques developed in the early part of the century for shipbuilding and boiler-making. The techniques consist in assembling slightly curved steel plates and fastening them with rivets to form a truncated cone. Steel was used because it was resistant and easy to maintain, provided it was properly protected against corrosion. The two lighthouses are bolted to concrete foundations.

The rear tower is the higher and more tapered of the two. Its main body is composed of four cylindrical sections and the gallery is supported by very simple corbels. The appearance of the tower was modified in 1939, when a small equipment platform was erected above the cupola. In addition, the cupola, which was originally copper, is now painted white. Strap hinges were later installed on the lower door. Both the lower door and the door which opened onto the gallery were sliding doors. To enhance the lighthouse, consideration should be given to returning to the original materials and design.

The front tower is shorter and its main body consists of only two sections. It does not appear to have been substantially altered and still has its ingenious sliding-door system. However, the two lateral openings are exposed to the wind and windows similar to the former model are urgently needed.

All metal parts, both interior and exterior, should be treated with an anti-corrosive agent and repainted. Any sign of corrosion should be detected and the situation remedied as quickly as possible. It is important to conserve the existing original parts as they are.

The rear lighthouse is located in a park that is part of the tourist circuit of the City of Lachine, which suggests there is constant maintenance. Being located at the end of a wharf, the front tower has been damaged by ice and its base is severely corroded, particularly where water accumulates between the concrete based and the bolted part. The damaged parts should be repaired or replaced with identical parts. Underground electric cables should be installed to improve the appearance of the lighthouses.