Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Lighttower
Fortune Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Also known as Saint-Jacques Island Lighthouse, Phare de l'île Saint-Jacques
General view of the St. Jacques Island lighthouse, 1908.
Photo: Canadian Coast Guard/Garde côtière canadienne, 1908
- Built
- 1908
- Recognized
- 1989
- By
- Government of Canada
The register’s text, word for word
Description
The Lighttower stands on the edge of a 100 ft. (30.48 meters) cliff on St. Jacques Island, situated on the south coast of Newfoundland. The cast-iron tower is capped by a well-proportioned and attractive lantern. 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 the development of safe trans-Atlantic navigation in Newfoundland. The construction of the lighthouse also illustrates the growing industrialization throughout the second half of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth.
Architectural Value
The Lighttower demonstrates very good aesthetic design in its elegantly tapered, cylindrical tower with a well-proportioned and attractive lantern. The Lighttower also exhibits very good functional design in its prefabricated, cast-iron construction technology. Favoured because of their inexepensive cost, ease of erection, low maintenance requirements and long-term durability, these structures reflect a desire to achieve a design that would withstand the rigours of the Newfoundland coast.
Environmental Value
The Lighttower reinforces the character of its coastal maritime setting and is a local landmark.
Sources:
Joan Mattie, Three Newfoundland Lighthouses: Green Island, Pffer Wadham Island, Baccalieu Island, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 89-197, 89-210, 89-212; Lighthouse: Green Island, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 89-197.
Character‑defining elements
The character-defining elements of the Lighttower should be respected.
Its very good aesthetic, very good functional design and craftsmanship and materials, for example:
-the cylindrical massing of the cast-iron tower that consists of a prominent base, tapered shaft and elaborate lantern;
-the pre-fabricated, cast-iron construction technology.
The manner in which the Lighttower reinforces the character of its maritime setting, and is a local landmark, as evidenced by:
-the picturesque qualities of its design and form which complement its natural environment;
-its visibility to passing commercial vessels and area fishermen, which makes it a local landmark.
End of the register’s text
Location
Fortune Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
47.47318° N, 55.40562° W
Get directions (opens in a new tab)Being on the register doesn’t make a place open to visitors. Many are private homes or businesses; please view them from the street.
Loading map…
Nearby
Similar places
Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.
LighttowerNotre Dame Bay, Newfoundland And Labrador
TowerFerryland Head, Newfoundland And Labrador
Channel Head LighttowerChannel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland And Labrador
Cape Spear LighttowerSt. John's, Newfoundland And Labrador
Light TowerHeart's Content, Newfoundland And Labrador
Cape Bauld Light TowerQuirpon Island / Île Quirpon, Newfoundland And Labrador
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.