Description of Historic Place

The Light station Tower is part of a large light station set in a forest clearing at the water’s edge of Lake Huron on Great Duck Island. The octagonal, white painted tower supports a prominent lantern. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Light station Tower is associated with the improvement of navigation on the upper Great Lakes and specifically to light the waters of northern Lake Huron.

Architectural Value
The Light station Tower has very good aesthetic quality. The details of its form, an octagonal tower, reflect a classical revival at the time of construction. The cast-in-place, concrete tower’s elements are loosely modeled on a classical column with base, shaft and capital. The form reflects the long history of octagonal wooden towers in Canada. The structure is well-built and functionally designed.

Environmental Value
The Light station Tower reinforces the present character of its natural island setting on the Great Lakes. The structure is familiar to the shipping community, to recreational boaters, and to people using the park.

Sources: Gordon Fulton, Lighttower, Fog Alarm, and Dwelling, Great Duck Island, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 90-189; Great Duck Island Lighttower, Great Duck Island, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 90-189.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its classical revival design, functional plan and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the simple massing, consisting of a slim octagonal structure with prominent lantern; the exterior walls of cast-in-place-concrete; the flared top and the walkway guardrail; the four levels of six-paned windows, vertically stacked; the paneled entry door set between classically inspired pilasters, and a projecting triangular pediment above.

The manner in which the Light station Tower reinforces the character of its natural island setting and is a familiar local landmark, as evidenced by: the Light station Tower’s design and form, which complement the natural setting; the Light station Tower’s dominant role in the lightstation complex; the high visibility of the Lights tation Tower to passing commercial marine traffic and pleasure crafts.

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 light tower on Great Duck Island was built in 1918 to plans prepared by the Department of Marine and Fisheries. It replaced an earlier wooden light tower constructed in 1877. The custodian is Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard. See FHBRO Report 90-189.


Reasons for Designation

The light tower was designated Recognized, for its historical associations, its architectural design, and the importance of its setting.

The original light tower was constructed as a result of a programme to light the waters of northern Lake Huron. The octagonal design of the tower is an example of one of three main design types developed for the more than 40 reinforced concrete light towers built between 1906-1916.

The architectural design takes best advantage of the aesthetics of the design type. Its form reflects the long history of octagonal wooden towers in Canada, and its details reflect a classical revival at the time of construction.

The tower is significant to lake freighters, fishing tugs, and pleasure craft south of Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. It is situated in an unchanged setting at the end of a heavily wooded island.


Character Defining Elements

The heritage character resides in the tower's form, proportions, construction materials and details, and its environmental significance.

The white painted, cast-in-place concrete light tower is of octagonal design, and the elements are loosely modeled on a classical column with base, shaft, and capital.

The tower base is simply articulated with the entry door set between classically inspired pilasters, and a projecting triangular pediment above, all site-poured concrete. The four levels of windows are vertically stacked, with projecting caps and trims on the 70 foot high tapered shaft. This relationship contributes greatly to extending the apparent height of the tower.

The capital is expressed by the flared top of the tower upon which is placed the painted metal lantern. The proportions of the tower, its height and the scale of the details create a dramatic profile, which should be maintained.

The six-paned windows and paneled door in their fine-scaled detail contribute to the classical references of the design, and are important features to be preserved.

The form of the light tower has not been altered since its construction. The interior planning is utilitarian with an interior metal stair providing access to the lantern. The width of the top of the tower is set by the size of the lantern.

The light tower has been maintained to departmental standards. The design characteristics and materials of the original reinforced concrete elements would be important to maintain. If defects in the concrete occur, conservation specialists should be consulted before repairs are implemented.

The tower is part of a lightstation set in a clearing on the heavily forested island. The buildings on the site have changed but the character of the lightstation is retained and this relationship should be maintained.