Recognized Federal Heritage Building

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse

Gros Morne National Park of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador

Also known as Lighttower, Tour de phare

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, showing the lightkeeper's house, 1988.

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, showing the lightkeeper's house, 1988.

Photo: Parks Canada Agency/Agence Parcs Canada, 1988.

Built
1897
Recognized
1990
By
Government of Canada

The register’s text, word for word

Description

Sited on a rocky outcrop along the west coast of Newfoundland, the Lobster Cove Lighthouse is a white, straight-sided structure of cast-iron construction. A prominent lantern, capped with a domed roof and weather vane, tops the cylindrical lighthouse. The site also contains the lightkeeper’s house and a shed. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage value

The Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value

The Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse illustrates the development of safe navigation for local shipping and fishing along the Newfoundland coastline. Its construction demonstrates the colony’s final acceptance of its responsibilities to the people who lived and worked on the west coast of the island.

Architectural Value

A good example of a prefabricated component tower as it appeared in Newfoundland at the turn of the 20th century, the elegant Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse is a well-proportioned, functional structure. Its locally cast iron shaft exhibits very good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value

The Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, which is a part of the Lobster Cove Lightstation with two other support buildings, reinforces its picturesque, maritime setting. It is a familiar structure to the surrounding community.

Sources:

Sally Coutts, Lobster Cove Head Lightstation, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 89-044; Lobster Cove Lightstation, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 89-044.

Character‑defining elements

The character-defining elements of the Lobster Cove Lighthouse should be respected.

Its good aesthetic design, very good functional design and craftsmanship and materials, for example:

-its well-proportioned and elegant massing, consisting of a plain shaft, prominent lantern, domed roof and weather vane;

-its prefabricated cast-iron construction;

-the simple four-paned windows on the tower.

The manner in which the Lighthouse reinforces the character of its maritime setting and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by:

-the picturesque qualities of its design and form, which complement the natural environment;

-its dominant role in the lightstation complex;

-the high visibility of the Lighthouse to passing sea going vessels and its role as one Gros Morne National Park’s interpretive tools.

End of the register’s text

Location

Lobster Cove Head Lightstation, Gros Morne National Park of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

49.60291° N, 57.95577° W

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From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.