Description of Historic Place

The Lighttower at Little Denier Island, is a cylindrical, cast-iron tower painted in wide red and white stripes. Its profile is emphasized by the lantern and cap, with its ball-shaped finial and arrow weathervane. The Lighttower sits high above sea level on a rugged, isolated and elevated site. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Lighttower at Little Denier Island 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 at Little Denier Island is a very good example of a utilitarian structure constructed with cast-iron technology and with 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 at Little Denier Island 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: Little Denier Island, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 89-201.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its utilitarian design, cast-iron technology and construction, for example:
-the simple massing of the tower which consists of a smooth tubular form composed of a base, shaft, lantern platform and lantern with a lantern cap and prominent weathervane;
-the cast-iron construction system, comprised of rounded rectangular segments bolted together on the interior face;
-the paint scheme of wide bands of red and white, which speaks to the functional nature of the structure.

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 on a remote island on the rugged, exposed Newfoundland coast overlooking the sea;
-its high visibility to passing sea going vessels.