Description of Historic Place

The Lighttower is the most prominent feature on the barren and rocky terrain of Belle Isle. A 90-foot (27.43 meters), cylindrical, cast iron tower encased in reinforced concrete, it features six flying buttresses rhythmically arranged around its walls. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Lighttower is associated with campaigns to improve the safety of maritime commerce at coastal locations by building navigational aids. The Belle Isle Lighttower was constructed to provide safety through the Straits of Belle Isle, the main entry to the inland ports for the summer and autumn months.

Architectural Value
The Lighttower is a good example of a structure built during a transitional stage in the adoption of reinforced concrete in Canada. The cast iron tower was encased with reinforced concrete and furthered stabilized with flying buttresses. Its functional design is excellent as evidenced by the tower’s stability. It is one of nine flying buttressed towers known to have been built by the department of Marine and Fisheries, under the direction of Colonel William P. Anderson.

Environmental Value
The Lighttower reinforces the coastal maritime character of its barren and rocky isle setting. It is a major landfall light that is a significant landmark in the region by virtue of its position on a major shipping lane for Transatlantic traffic.

Sources:
Martha Phemister, Belle Isle Lighthouse, North East Belle Isle, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 88-131; Lighthouse, Belle Isle, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 88-131.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its aesthetic appearance, excellent functional design and quality craftsmanship, for example:
-the cylindrical massing with six buttresses around the shaft of the tower and meeting the walls only at two levels;
-the cast iron construction encased in cast-in-place concrete;
-the well-proportioned lantern;
-the whitewashing.

The manner in which the building reinforces the coastal maritime character of its barren and rocky isle setting, and is a significant landmark in the region, as evidenced by:
-its vertical profile and silhouette which creates a strong, solid appearance set on the barren and rocky terrain of Belle Isle;
-its high visibility from the Straits of Belle Isle to passing sea going vessels.