Formal Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Building, Structure or Land

Heritage Value

Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site has been designated a municipal heritage site by the Town of New Perlican for its historic, cultural and aesthetic values.

Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site has historic value as the site of an early 20th century, light keeper’s dwelling and lighthouse. As early as 1890 newspaper opinion pieces were written both for and against the installation of a lighthouse on Jean’s Head. There is also some question as to the correct name of the site. It has been referred to variously as Jean’s Head and Jane’s Head. It has been speculated that it was named Jane’s Head, maybe after the Janes family of Hant’s Harbour who were historically involved in the fishing business. Others contend it was always Jean’s Head and sometimes pronounced as Jane’s Head. It was known officially in government records as Jean’s Head Lighthouse when it was established. The Year Book and Almanac of Newfoundland reports that a light station at Jean’s Head was “in the course of completion” in 1915. A notice to mariners issued the same year announced that the station would be put into operation in September 1915. The station had a one-storey keeper’s dwelling and an octagonal lighthouse, which was attached to the keeper’s house by a covered passageway. Corbett Legge served as light keeper from 1915 to 1926 and Allan Ghent took over his duties from 1926 to 1931. The light was white, with an occulting visible of 7 seconds and eclipse of 3 seconds. The lighthouse rose 159.50 feet (48.6 metres) above high water.

Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site has cultural value as a reminder of an earlier time. The light station no longer stands, but the memory of it resides with the community. The site is a reminder of a time before automated light towers when mariners relied on the skills of a qualified light keeper to give them safe passage through treacherous waters. The grounds of the former light station are now incorporated into a hiking trail system, ensuring that the site remains an active component of the community’s cultural landscape.

Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site has aesthetic value due to its environmental setting. The Jean’s Head promontory overlooks New Perlican Harbour and provides an expansive view of the waters of Trinity Bay.

Source: Town of New Perlican Regular Council Meeting Motion #2013-062 July 13, 2013.

Character Defining Elements

All those elements which represent the historic, cultural and aesthetic value of the site, including:
-location at the mouth of the harbour;
-the untouched, natural landscape of Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site;
-unobstructed view planes to and from Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site, and;
-continued public access to Jean’s Head Lighthouse Site.

Community

New Perlican

Municipality

Town of New Perlican

Construction (circa)

1915 - 1915