Description of Historic Place

Pictou Island South Lighthouse is a square, tapered, wooden lighthouse with a square lantern. Built in 1907, the lighthouse is the first on its site. It is located on the southwest coast of Pictou Island, in the Northumberland Strait, and measures 7.9 metres (26 feet) from base to vane.

Heritage Value

The Pictou Island South Lighthouse is a heritage lighthouse because of its historical, architectural, and community values.

Historical values
The Pictou Island South Lighthouse is the only surviving lighthouse of the three that originally stood on Pictou Island. By 1910, three lights had been placed on Pictou Island: at the East End (1853, not extant), West End (1905, not extant) and South End (1907, extant). The Pictou Island South Lighthouse is a very good example of the Department of Marine and Fisheries’ initiative to rapidly surround Canada’s coasts with a cordon of lights. The construction of the second and third lighthouses on Pictou Island came at an important time in its history, coinciding with a period of growth on the island. In the early part of the 20th century, Pictou Island’s population was steadily increasing. This meant increased marine traffic, and indeed, since the construction of the Pictou Island South Lighthouse, both the local fishing fleet and the island’s regular ferry service have relied on the light. As a wharf light, and for the years it was a range light, the South End Lighthouse has served as a key aid to navigation for all marine traffic to and from the island’s only wharf.

Architectural values
Pictou Island South Lighthouse is an excellent example of a square, tapered, wooden tower with a coved cornice and exhibits the typical features of this standard plan design. This design was popular with the Department of Marine and Fisheries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visually pleasing, the historical photos suggest that the lighthouse has been altered very little since its construction.

The lighthouse’s wooden square-tapered design is perfectly suited for the maritime conditions. Square, tapered, wooden lighthouses were economical to build, using materials readily available in nearby forests and mills, and relying on local labour. They are durable and are able to withstand heavy winds due to their low centre of gravity.

Community values
The Pictou Island South Lighthouse forms a functional unit with the other components at the wharf and reinforces the maritime nature of the setting. It is one of the first buildings seen by those disembarking the ferry at the island’s only wharf.

The associated community of the Pictou Island lighthouse consists of the permanent residents of the island who, in the early 21st century, number a few dozen. The island is relatively isolated in function and atmosphere due to its distance from the mainland. With only a few public buildings on the island and as the last remaining lighthouse, the Pictou Island South Lighthouse is considered very important and is highly valued by the small community of permanent residents.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Pictou Island South End Lighthouse should be respected:
— its location as a wharf light at the south end of Pictou Island in the Northumberland Strait;
— its intact, as-built form and proportions, based on the standard design of square, tapered, wooden towers;
— its square wooden frame structure with tapered sides rising from a square base;
— its wooden shingle sheathing;
— its pedimented door and window;
— its gallery, supported by the coved cornice that transitions from the tapered walls;
— the design and material of the plain iron railing that surrounds the gallery;
— its original square lantern with pyramidal roof and vent;
-— its traditional red and white colour scheme, consisting of white for the tower and cornice, and red for the lantern, the gallery railing, and the door;
— its visual prominence in relation to the water and landscape.