Signal Hill

Overlooking St. John’s is a hill (well, actually there are several hills, but I’m talking about one in particular). A really tall hill (over 500 m above sea level).  Also, an important hill, from history’s viewpoint.  Like most high ground near harbours, it was a very strategic place, and has served many functions since people first arrived on these shores.

Cabot Tower

As the name implies, Signal Hill, was used for signaling information from the ships coming into the harbour to the merchants in the harbour, so they could prepare for the ship’s arrival, or send aid, if needed.  This information was conveyed using a series of flags. The tower is no longer needed in this capacity (we have radios now), and the flags are all tucked away.

View from the top

The Hill's military importance has spanned hundreds of years. The French and British fought over these lands (repeatedly) for control of the region and the fishing. The hill served as a point of defense from the 1800's to after the Second World War. Cannons were placed to prevent invaders from entering the harbour. Today, they make a fun place to gaze out on the city, harbour and Atlantic Ocean.

The Signal Tower also is the site where the first transatlantic wireless signal was sent, in 1901. In our digital era, where we take wireless for granted, it’s hard to remember when communication was a lot slower than instant.  Bob tells me that people thought it wasn't even possible to send wireless signals further than line of sight. But, if there’s one overwhelming thing I have learned from our travels, it’s that people are innovative. After shorter range tests, those who were testing bounced the signal off the ionosphere to get around the curvature of the Earth, and tada! A new age of communication was born.

This is an interesting place for adults and kids, alike. Lily did the Canada Parks Explorer activity book, and got to try her hand at sending out a signal in Morse code. Morgan was happier just bouncing around (as usual).

If history doesn't excite you (and let me tell you, my eyes used to glaze over pretty quick for any history lesson. Living it makes history so much more interesting!), the trails around Signal Hill, and the views from the top are amazing. Awesome views of the harbour and the city, to the west. The expanse of ocean, possibly with icebergs or whales, to the east (we saw both!)

… After we were done at Signal Hill, we went down the hill a short distance to the Johnson Geo Center, a science center that focuses on the geology of Newfoundland and Labrador. We used our reciprocal pass to get in, but I’d say it would be well worth the price.  This place is more focused and “sciency” than many of the science centers we have been to.

There are lots of rock samples to check out outside, films and talks, and science (chemistry) demonstrations, exhibits on the oilfields off the Grand Banks, and the Titanic disaster. There is a large section that examines the geology and forces that make Newfoundland what it is today. It explains the interesting geology of the island (it’s part Africa, part ocean floor (volcanoes!), and part North America) way back from when the continents were smashed together into two supercontinents. It’s totally worth a visit, if you happen to be in the area.

Coastguard leaving the harbour

George's Lake

Queen's Battery with the city in the background