Description of Historic Place

The Lighttower at Random Head, is a modest, cast-iron tower with a red and white checkerboard paint scheme. Its profile is accentuated by the lantern capped with a prominent weathervane. The Lighttower is located on the summit of the largest island in the Motion Islands, a remote, sparsely populated section of Trinity Bay. 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 illustrates the theme of navigational aids in Newfoundland when it was a British colony with an economy based almost solely on the sea. Its construction also illustrates the theme of growing industrialization around the turn of the 20th century.

Architectural Value
The Lighttower is a very good example of a utilitarian structure constructed with cast-iron technology to an excellent functional design. It is one of approximately 26 lighthouses of prefabricated iron and steel construction, thought to be the only surviving examples of their type in Canada. Favoured because of their inexpensive cost, ease of erection, low maintenance requirements and long-term durability, these structures reflect the desire to achieve a design that would withstand the rigours of the Newfoundland coast.

Environmental Value
The Lighttower reinforces the character of its maritime setting and is a familiar landmark to mariners in the region.

Sources:
Joan Mattie, Six Newfoundland Lighthouse,: Green point; Heart’s Content; King’s Cove Head; Little Denier Island; North Head; Brigus; Random Head, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 89-198, 89-199, 89-200, 89-201, 89-208, 89-211; Lighthouse: Random Head, Conception Bay, Brigus, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 89-211.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its utilitarian design, cast-iron construction technology and construction, for example:
-the simple, well-proportioned massing of the tower which consists of a smooth tubular form composed of a shaft, lantern platform and lantern capped with a prominent weathervane;
-the cast-iron construction system, comprised of cylindrical segments bolted together on the interior face;
-the red and white checkerboard paint scheme.

The manner in which the Lighttower reinforces the character of its maritime setting and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by:
-its overall composition and appearance situated at the summit of a remote island on the rugged, exposed Newfoundland coast;
-its high visibility to passing sea going vessels.