Dates:
- 1900 to 1900 (Construction)
Event, Person, Organization:
- Department of Railways and Canals (Architect)
Other Name(s):
- Lachine Light Tower - Front Range (Other Name)
Custodian: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
FHBRO Report Reference: 89-172
Description of Historic Place
The Light Tower (Front) is one of two identically designed towers in St. Louis Park, a municipal recreation space on the waterfront. Shorter than its twin, the front range tower is located at the end of a wharf at the park. It is a white-painted metal, tapered tower of squat proportions set on a concrete base. An attractive, decorative metal cupola with sliding doors houses the light apparatus and is accessed by a circular, metal gallery platform accented by corbels. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Light Tower is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
The Light Tower is associated with the establishment of major industries in Lachine, which were attracted by the proximity of maritime and rail transportation corridors.
Architectural Value
The Light Tower is valued for its good aesthetic and very good functional design. It has elegant proportions and is an extremely rare example of a circular metal tower outside of Newfoundland. One of two matching towers at the site, it was built using the metal-working techniques developed in the early part of the 20th century for shipbuilding and boiler-making. The techniques consist of assembling slightly curved steel plates and fastening them with rivets to form a truncated cone. Steel was used because it was resistant and easy to maintain, provided it was properly protected against corrosion.
Environmental Value
The Light Tower reinforces the maritime character of its recreational setting at St. Louis Park. It is a well-known landmark in the region.
Sources: Joan Mattie, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 89-172; Lachine Lighthouse, Bicquette Island, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 87-088.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Light Tower should be respected.
Its good aesthetic and very good functional design, and good craftsmanship and materials, as for example: the tapered massing composed of a concrete base, two cylindrical sections and an attractive metal cupola that houses the light apparatus; the metal construction and components; the circular gallery platform and railing accented by corbels; the sliding door system; the two lateral openings.
The manner in which the Light Tower reinforces the maritime character of its recreation park setting and is a well-known landmark in the region, as evidenced by: its overall design and materials, which harmonize with its park and wharf surroundings; its role as a landmark to pleasure boaters and Canadian Coast Guard vessels; its visibility and familiarity to tourists and residents of the region, due to its prominent location at the wharf entrance of the popular municipal recreation park.
Heritage Character Statement
Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.
The two lighthouses or range lights, front and rear, are located at the western entrance of the Lachine Canal. They were built in 1900 for the Department of Railways and Canals. They are now owned and managed by the Canadian Coast Guard. See FHBRO Report 89-172.
Reasons For Designation
The lighthouses have been designated Recognized because they illustrate an important period of local history and contribute to the maritime character of St. Louis Park. Moreover, they are rare examples of circular metal towers outside Newfoundland.
The presence of the lighthouses recalls the early part of the century, which was characterized by the establishment of major industries in Lachine, attracted by the proximity of maritime and rail transportation corridors. Although the lighthouses no longer serve the main channel, they continue to be used as
Description of Historic Place
The Light Tower (Front) is one of two identically designed towers in St. Louis Park, a municipal recreation space on the waterfront. Shorter than its twin, the front range tower is located at the end of a wharf at the park. It is a white-painted metal, tapered tower of squat proportions set on a concrete base. An attractive, decorative metal cupola with sliding doors houses the light apparatus and is accessed by a circular, metal gallery platform accented by corbels. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Light Tower is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
The Light Tower is associated with the establishment of major industries in Lachine, which were attracted by the proximity of maritime and rail transportation corridors.
Architectural Value
The Light Tower is valued for its good aesthetic and very good functional design. It has elegant proportions and is an extremely rare example of a circular metal tower outside of Newfoundland. One of two matching towers at the site, it was built using the metal-working techniques developed in the early part of the 20th century for shipbuilding and boiler-making. The techniques consist of assembling slightly curved steel plates and fastening them with rivets to form a truncated cone. Steel was used because it was resistant and easy to maintain, provided it was properly protected against corrosion.
Environmental Value
The Light Tower reinforces the maritime character of its recreational setting at St. Louis Park. It is a well-known landmark in the region.
Sources: Joan Mattie, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 89-172; Lachine Lighthouse, Bicquette Island, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 87-088
To count as found, post a picture of a part of your body with lighthouse in background at PZ
FRANÇAIS
Dates :
1900 (Construction)
Événement, personne, organisme :
Ministère des Chemins de fer et des Canaux (Architecte)
Autres noms :
Phare de Lachine - Front Range (Autre nom)
Gestionnaire : Pêches et Océans Canada
Référence du rapport du BRO du patrimoine fédéral : 89-172
Description du lieu historique
Le phare (Front Range) est l'un des deux phares identiques du parc St. Louis, un espace récréatif municipal situé sur le front de mer. Plus court que son jumeau, le phare Front Range se trouve à l'extrémité d'un quai du parc. Il s'agit d'une tour trapue en métal peint en blanc, de forme conique, reposant sur une base en béton. Une élégante coupole métallique ornée de portes coulissantes abrite le système d'éclairage et est accessible par une galerie circulaire en métal agrémentée de consoles. La désignation se limite à l'emprise au sol du bâtiment.
Valeur patrimoniale
Le phare est un édifice fédéral du patrimoine reconnu en raison de son importance historique et de sa valeur architecturale et environnementale.
Valeur historique
La tour du phare est associée à l'implantation d'importantes industries à Lachine, attirées par la proximité des axes de transport maritime et ferroviaire.
Valeur architecturale
La tour du phare est appréciée pour son esthétique et sa conception fonctionnelle remarquables. Ses proportions élégantes en font un exemple extrêmement rare de tour métallique circulaire hors de Terre-Neuve. L'une des deux tours jumelles du site, elle a été construite selon les techniques de travail des métaux mises au point au début du XXe siècle pour la construction navale et la chaudronnerie. Ces techniques consistent à assembler des plaques d'acier légèrement incurvées et à les fixer par rivets pour former un cône tronqué. L'acier a été choisi pour sa résistance et sa facilité d'entretien, à condition d'être correctement protégé contre la corrosion.
Valeur environnementale
La tour du phare renforce le caractère maritime du parc Saint-Louis, un site récréatif. C'est un point de repère bien connu de la région.
Sources : Joan Mattie, Québec, Bureau d'examen des édifices fédéraux du patrimoine, Rapport sur l'édifice, 89-172 ; Phare de Lachine, île Bicquette (Québec), Énoncé de la valeur patrimoniale, 87-088
Pour compter comme trouvée poster une photo au PZ d'une partie de ton corps avec le phare en arrière plan.
Virtual Rewards 5.0 - 2026-2027
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between February 3, 2026 and February 3, 2027. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 5.0 on the Geocaching Blog.