The Cow Head Light is a two storey steel structure located on Lighthouse Path in the hollow of a promontory on the west side of the Cow Head peninsula in Cow Head, NL. The designation includes the building and surrounding land.
Formal Recognition Type
Municipal Heritage Building, Structure or Land
Heritage Value
The Cow Head Light has been designated a municipal heritage site by the Town of Cow Head due to its historic, cultural and aesthetic value.
The Cow Head Light has historic value because it is the oldest standing structure in the community of Cow Head, having been constructed in 1909. It guided ships and small boats into the harbour from 1909 to 1979 when it was replaced with battery operated harbour buoys. The first lightkeeper was Jesse Payne and he lived in a small three room house next to the light. Every day from spring to late December when navigation was open, he lit the kerosene light at dusk and distinguished it at dawn. Later his son John L (Lighthouse Jack) and grandson Jesse were the lightkeepers.
The Cow Head Light has cultural value because the grounds of the lighthouse were a popular social gathering place for the community. On Sundays in the summertime many of them would go there for picnics after attending church services.
The Cow Head Light has aesthetic value because it has unique construction for a light tower. It has a cast iron cylindrical tower with a second storey balcony, a witches hat roof and an arched doorway. This structure is basically unadorned, suggesting its functional nature. Up until 1931 the light, a kerosene lamp, required constant tending. Propane later replaced the kerosene lamp and the lighthouse remained in operation until 1979. This light is among many along the Northern Peninsula, where most light towers are architecturally different and unique.
The Cow Head Light has aesthetic value due to its environmental setting. The presence of a lighthouse and its location on the peninsula remind us of the importance placed on mariners, safe navigation, and Newfoundland’s rich maritime history. Furthermore, as Cow Head is the most northerly settlement within Gros Morne, it affords a spectacular view of the Long Range Mountains, Western Brook fjord and as far south as the Tablelands.
Source: Town of Cow Head, passed by a motion of council at a meeting held on February 17, 2003.
Character Defining Elements
All those exterior elements that express the unique and functional nature of the light tower, including:
-the steel plate cylindrical tower;
-squat witch’s hat roof;
-original arched door and lock;
-size, shape and placement of windows;
-original second storey balcony, and;
-guide wires which helped to hold the building in place.
Notes
From the bottom of the tower to the balcony measures 5 m, and to the vane 8m. The light could be seen from a distance of 22.5km and had 10 flashes of 1 second per minute.
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