Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2003 due to its aesthetic and historic value.

Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence has aesthetic value due to its unique design. While there were many double dwellings built by the Department of Marine and Fisheries around this time, it appears that there were no others built in this style. Though the Residence at Cape Anguille bears some resemblance to other departmental dwellings, this particular style may be one of a kind. Built as a double dwelling, the building is entirely symmetrical. The front façade features a main entrance hall at both ends of the building, and two large pedimented dormers. The wooden shingle clad hip roof features identical chimneys on both ends of the house and the rear of the house features two small pedimented dormers flanking a large central dormer. Located in the Wreckhouse area of Newfoundland, a region notorious for its extreme winds and harsh weather conditions, the Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence has withstood the elements of the Newfoundland climate reasonably well. Constructed of wood, the Residence stands as a testament to the quality of craftsmanship and construction during this period.

Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence has further aesthetic value due to its location. Light stations are landmarks by nature and thus the location of the lightkeeper’s house as a part of the light station complex is important. Facing west to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the lightkeeper’s residence and the light station itself serves as a landmark to passing ships.

Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence has historic value as an example of a lightkeeper’s dwelling built during this period. Built in 1907, the house was originally a double dwelling intended to house the lightkeeper as well as the engineer for the light station at Cape Anguille. This type of dwelling was typical during the early 20th century. The Residence also has local historical value for its association with the Patry family. Alfred Patry was appointed Lightkeeper at Cape Anguille in 1908. Local history states that the relationship between Patry and the Engineer at Cape Anguille quickly deteriorated and the engineer soon moved to nearby Codroy. After the engineer left, Patry opened up the house and made it into a single dwelling for his family. The Patry family has a long standing association with the light station at Cape Anguille. Alfred Patry held the lightkeeper’s position from 1908 until 1943 when his son Laurier Patry took over the position until 1982.

Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence also has historic value as the last remaining building of the original light station complex at Cape Anguille. The Cape Anguille light station was established in 1905 as a coastal station to serve fishermen and marine traffic travelling along the Gulf of St. Lawrence up to the Strait of Belle Isle. The Lightkeeper’s Residence remains as a testament to this early 20th century light station.

Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Cape Anguille – Cape Anguille Lightkeeper’s Residence – FPT 2101”

Character Defining Elements

All those architectural features which relate to the design and function of the building as a lightkeeper’s dwelling, including:

-number of storeys;
-hipped roof;
-wooden shingles on roof;
-size, style and placement of chimneys;
-size, style, trim and placement of pedimented dormers;
-narrow wooden clapboard;
-wooden corner boards;
-symmetrical façade;
-simplicity of exterior decoration;
-typical white exterior paint with red trim;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden windows;
-size, style, trim and placement of exterior wooden doors;
-size, style, trim and placement of partially open porch on front facade;
-wooden construction;
-stone foundation, and;
-building dimensions, location and orientation.

All those features which relate to the building’s environmental setting, including:
-location and context, and;
-positioning relative to coastline and light tower.

Community

Cape Anguille

Municipality

Not specified (Newfoundland)

Civic Address

Cape Anguille Lighthouse Station

Construction (circa)

1907 - 1907

Builder

Department of Marine and Fisheries

Style

Rectangular Long Façade