After the light: the reuse and replica of Canada’s historic lighthouses

Abstract

ABSTRACT Lighthouses are enduring symbols of maritime heritage, representing the history and identity of coastal communities. Over the last few decades, however, these structures have been increasingly decommissioned and divested especially in response to the rise of navigational technologies and costly maintenance. Remarkably little academic scrutiny has been paid to the present and future challenges of these sites, and even less attention has been given to contexts of lighthouse closure, reuse, and replication. In response, this paper combines lighthouse infrastructure data with media analyses and qualitative interviews to explore the ‘afterlives’ of Canada’s historic lighthouses, examining their transformations and the cultural politics involved in their reuse and replica (or faux lighthouses). We argue that historic lighthouses are not only significant features of maritime heritage but also serve as contemporary sites of coastal change and growth. By studying their afterlives, the paper sheds light on the intricate and complicated lifecycles of lighthouses and the communities that depend on them. Overall, we contribute to a broader understanding of coastal heritage, emphasizing the importance of examining adaptive reuse and the emergence of replica lighthouses as practices that renegotiate established values, meanings, and emotions associated with these iconic structures.