Signal Hill - 1

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Cabot Tower, possibly St. John's most visible landmark, sits atop Signal Hill on the north side of St. John's Harbour. This century-old landmark was built to celebrate both Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Newfoundland by John Cabot. The Tower was used for signaling until 1960. Signal Hill became a National Historic Park in 1958.

Since 1704, yard arms were used to display signal flags telling which vessels were arriving. The good news was it allowed the merchants to prepare docking facilities and to rejoice their ship was not lost at sea. The bad news was it also forewarned customs officials. There were also flags to warn of approaching hostile ships.

This area was known originally as The Lookout and was first called Signal Hill circa 1762. During that year it was the site of the battle where the British defeated the French during the last North American battle fought in the Seven Years War. This was the last time the French controlled St. John's.

In December 1901, Guglielmo Marconi and his assistant flew kites from Signal Hill that lifted an aerial wire connected to a radio receiver. This contraption was adequate to receive the first transatlantic wireless message. It was sent from Poldhu, in Cornwall, England. We are certain he had no problem flying the kite in the wind off the ocean; in fact, given the air currents, we're more surprised he didn't make the first transatlantic flight (flying nun style).

Not important, but interesting: Marconi and Kemp's headquarters, donated by the Newfoundland Authorities, were rooms at the abandoned Diphtheria and Fever Hospital on Signal Hill.