Description of Historic Place

The Light Tower is the dominant element of a cluster of buildings located at Gaspé Cape at the end of the Forillon peninsula, in Forillon National Park of Canada. The classically inspired, tapered, octagonal tower is enlivened by a flared cornice, a gallery platform with a red-painted guardrail, and a multi-sided metal lantern. Constructed of concrete, the smooth white surface of the tower features vertically-aligned hooded windows and an entrance decorated by a projecting pediment. 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 values.

Historical Value
The Light Tower is associated with a period of modernization of the coastal navigational system. It was built as part of an upgrade to the system and replaced an earlier light in poor repair. Located at the entrance of the St. Lawrence River, the Light Tower serves a major commercial-shipping route and the local fishing industry.

Architectural Value
The Light Tower is valued for its good aesthetic and functional design, which successfully combine classical forms and ornamentation with low-maintenance concrete construction. The use of classical references in this design is derived from 19th-century wooden light towers and from early 20th-century examples in concrete. The structure demonstrates good craftsmanship and materials through its combination of classical design with modern materials.

Environmental Value
The Light Tower is the dominant element of a cluster of building at the end of Forillon peninsula. The Light Tower reinforces the picturesque maritime character of its coastal setting and is an important marker in the coastal environment.

Sources: Martha Phemister, Cap de Gaspé Lighthouse, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 89-180; Cap de Gaspé Light Tower, Cap de Gaspé, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 89-180.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its good aesthetic and functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, for example: the medium-height, tapered octagonal structure; the classically-inspired, tripartite division of the tower into base, tapered shaft, and capital (lantern platform); the flared cornice beneath the gallery platform with pipe-rail, and the well proportioned multi-sided, cast-iron lantern; the concrete construction resulting in the smooth white surface of the tower; the vertically aligned hooded windows and the pedimented entrance; the red and white colour scheme.

The manner in which the Light Tower reinforces the present picturesque maritime character of its coastal setting and is a regional landmark, as evidenced by: its overall attractive scale, massing, design and materials, which dominate its cluster of buildings and coastal surroundings; its visible role as a seacoast marker of the associated coastal environment; its familiarity to visitors, due to its association with the interpretation centre.

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 Cap de Gaspé Lighttower was built in 1949-50 to designs by the Department of Transport as part of an upgrade of the coastal navigation system. The structure continues to serve its original function, although it is now part of Forillon National Park. The Canadian Coast Guard is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 89-180.

Reasons for Designation

The Cap de Gaspé Lighttower was designated Recognized as a result of its landmark status, its synthesis of aesthetic expression and functional design, and its association with the on-going provision of coastal navigational aids.

The tower was built during a period of modernization of the coastal navigational system, replacing an earlier light in poor repair. Located at the entrance of the St. Lawrence River, the Cap de Gaspé Lighttower serves a major commercial-shipping route and the local fishing industry.

The Lighthouse successfully combines classical forms and ornamentation with low-maintenance concrete construction. The use of classical references in this design is derived from nineteenth-century wooden lighttowers and from early twentieth-century examples in concrete, such as Machias Seal Island.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Cap de Gaspé Lighttower resides in its profile, ornamentation and materials, and in its environmental significance.

The tripartite division of the octagonal tower into base, tapered shaft, and capital (lantern platform) derives from classical architecture. The clarity of this profile must be protected; the antenna which extends horizontally from the platform detracts from the vertical emphasis and clarity of form and should be relocated if possible.

Classical references are continued in the smooth white surface of the tower, the vertically-aligned hooded windows, and the decorative elaboration of the entrance by a projecting pediment. These are essential elements of the design and should be preserved.

The combination of classical design with modern materials is a significant aspect of the heritage character of this structure. Repair work should emphasize maximum retention of original materials. A specialist in concrete conservation should be consulted for major tower repairs. The original interior fittings and layout should be investigated and preserved.

The Cap de Gaspé Lighthouse is the dominant element in a cluster of buildings at the end of Forillon peninsula. A small structure associated with the original light station now serves as an interpretation centre. Further development in this vicinity should be resisted. The large storage tank located immediately in front of the tower detracts from the character of the site and should be moved to a less obtrusive location if possible.