Description of Historic Place

The Lighttower dominates Davieaux Island, which is located on the north shore of Lake Superior. The austere building is octagonal in plan and tapered. The plain reinforced concrete shaft has few simple embellishments consisting of a pedimented cap over the doorway and triangular lintels over the five windows. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Lighttower at Davieaux Island is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Lighttower at Davieaux Island is associated with the extension of the original post-Confederation system of aids to navigation along the north shore of Lake Superior. The Davieaux Island lighttower continues to serve mariners on Lake Superior.

Architectural Value:
The Lighttower at Davieaux Island is a good example of the sturdy reinforced concrete structures built to the high standards of the department of Marine and Fisheries during the early years of the 20th century. The octagonal tower remained a popular and enduring design.

Environmental Value:
The Lighttower at Davieaux maintains an unchanged relationship to, and establishes the present character of its picturesque maritime setting on Davieaux Island and is well known to fishermen and local boaters.

Sources: Margaret Coleman, Lighthouse, Davieaux Island Lightstation Buildings (6 buildings) Davieaux Island and Quebec Harbour, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-143; Lightstation, Davieaux Island, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 88-143.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Lighttower at Davieaux Island should be respected.

Its functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
-the structure’s tapered shaft and vertical massing;
-the octagonal exterior walls of finished, smooth concrete;
-the structure’s clean lines and picturesque silhouette;
-the classical detailing such as the decorative pedimented cap over the doorway and triangular lintels over the five windows;
-the interior staircase that leads to the lantern.

The manner in which the Lighttower establishes the present character of the picturesque, maritime setting at Davieaux Island and acts as a local landmark, as evidenced by:
-its dramatic position on a flat, rocky clearing on Davieaux Island;
-its familiarity as a landmark to mariners on Lake Superior, and as a symbol of the maritime heritage of the coastal area between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.