Parks Pares Canada Atlantic Guide to the Atlantic Provinces ' Published by under authority ot the Hon. J. Hugh Faulkner Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Ottawa, 1978. QS-7055-000-EE-A1 Catalogue No. R62-101/1978 ISBN 0-662-01630-0 Illustration credits: Drawings of national historic parks and sites by C. W. Kettlewell. Photo credits: Photos by Ted Grant except photo on page 21 by J. Foley. Design: Judith Gregory, Design Partnership.

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Cover: Cape Breton Highlands National Park Introduction Visitors to Canada's Atlantic provinces will find a warm welcome in one of the most beautiful and interesting parts of our country. This guide describes briefly each of the seven national parks, 19 national historic parks and sites and the St. Peters Canal, all of which are operated by Parks Canada for the , benefit and enjoyment of all Canadians. The Parliament of Canada has set aside these places to be preserved for 3 all time as reminders of the great beauty of our land and the achievements of its founders. More detailed information on any of the parks or sites described in this guide may be obtained by writing to: Director Parks Canada Atlantic Region Historic Properties Upper Water Street Halifax, B3J1S9

Port Royal Habitation National Historic Park National Parks and National Historic 1 St. Andrews Blockhouse 19 Fort Amherst Parks and Sites in the Atlantic 2 Carleton 20 Province House Provinces: 3 21 National Park 4 Fort Beausejour 22 5 Kouchibouguac National Park 23 Port au Choix 6 Fort Edward 24 L'Anse aux Meadows 7 Grand Pré 25 8 26 Signal Hill 9 Port Royal 27 Cape Spear Lighthouse 10 28 Castle Hill 11 Historic Properties 12 Halifax Citadel 4 13 Prince of Wales Martello Tower 14 York 15 Fortress of 16 Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Park 17 St. Peters Canal 18 Cape Breton Highlands National Park

1 St. Andrews Blockhouse Today after restoration work, the two- 2 Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site storey wooden building looks much as National Historic Site Sf. Andrews, , it did in the early 19th century. Saint John, New Brunswick. 99 km west of Saint John. Guides and interpretive displays Overlooking the western end of Saint When war broke out in 1812, the people explain the role of the blockhouse and John Harbour, Carleton Martello Tower of St. Andrews feared an American its history. offers an outstanding view of the city attack on their isolated town. Batteries St. Andrews Blockhouse is open and the sea. were constructed at the east and west from May 15th through September 10th. Except for a rooftop addition that points of the community to guard served as the harbour's fire control against seaward attack, while a third centre in World War Two, the outside was built above the town at Joe's Point. of the 9 m tower looks much as it did A blockhouse was built behind each of when it guarded Saint John more than 6 the 12 coastal batteries in New Bruns­ 165 years ago. Inside, historic relics wick, including the three of St. Andrews. from the 1800's are displayed on the The West Point Blockhouse is the only barrack floor. The upper floor houses surviving example of these fortifications. objects that recount the tower's history. The blockhouse was declared a A cadet, dressed in the period costume national historic site in the early 1960's. of the 104th Regiment of Foot, greets visitors to this historic site. The Carleton Martello Tower is open from June 1st to September 30th. 3 Fundy National Park Fundy has five campgrounds 80 km south of Moncton. which have a range of facilities to Fundy National Park features the high­ accommodate tents and recreational est tides in the world, rugged coastal vehicles. landscape and unlimited hiking oppor­ A number of motels and chalets tunities. are operated in the park and the village The 's tides rise and of Alma offers the visitor a full range of fall twice a day and reach a maximum services, such as hotels, restaurants, height of sixteen metres. Stroll along stores and gas stations. the tidal flats at Alma, Point Wolfe or Fundy National Park is open year- Herring Cove during low tide and dis­ round. cover barnacles, sea anemones and periwinkles hiding under rocks. Motor 7 boats aren't allowed in the park but you can rent a rowboat or canoe at Bennett Lake. Explore Fundy by hiking along more than 80 km of trails that criss­ cross the park. There is an arts and crafts school with a variety of courses for all ages, including basket-weaving and glass-painting for children and copper jewellery-making and wood crafts for grown-ups. And there's much, much more. Other facilities include a heated salt­ water swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and a lawn-bowl­ ing green.

Fundy National Park 4 Fort Beauséjour 5 Kouchibouguac National Park Roadside picnic sites are estab­ National Historic Park 55 km north of Moncton. lished at scenic points. An active inter­ Aulac, New Brunswick, Kouchibouguac National Park features pretive program will help you enjoy and 40 km south of Moncton. fine sand beaches and dunes, which understand the park environment. In the The French built Fort Beauséjour in stretch for 25 km along Northumberland winter, cross-country skiing and snow- 1751 hoping the fort would serve to Strait, as well as many rivers and shoeing are popular. defend French territories near the Bay lagoons. The main campground at Kouchi­ of Fundy. Visitors can enjoy supervised bouguac Sud accepts both tents and The British succeeded in captur­ swimming at Kellys Beach. Hiking trails recreational vehicles and is equipped ing the fort in June 1755, and renamed follow the rivers and wind through the with washroom buildings, a playing area it Fort Cumberland. The fort was finally forests. Enjoy fishing for trout or bass and a kitchen shelter. Primitive camp­ abandoned in 1833. or try your hand at clam digging. grounds are available to backpackers 8 By the turn of the 20th century, and canoe-campers. Youth organiza­ most of the buildings had decayed, leav­ tions may reserve the Fontaine group ing only the pentagon-shaped outline tenting area which can accommodate formed by the earthworks, sections of 150 persons. walls and one of the casemates. Kouchibouguac National Park is In recent years, extensive archae­ open year-round. ology has unearthed the remains of many of the fort's original features. The system of entrenchments raised by the British after they captured the fort is located north of the fort. A modern inter­ pretive display helps to tell the story of the fort's past. Fort Beauséjour is open from April 1 st to November 30th.

Kouchibouguac National Park 6 Fort Edward National Historic Site 7 Grand Pré National Historic Park 8 Fort Anne National Historic Park Windsor, Nova Scotia, 100 km northwest of Halifax, Nova , Nova Scotia, 76 km west of Halifax. Scotia. 201 km west of Halifax. Situated on a hill overlooking the Avon The of Grand Pré came to the Fort Anne was built by the French and Windsor rivers, Fort Edward served Minas Basin of Nova Scotia from Port between 1702 and 1708 to protect the as an important British base in Nova Royal in the 1670's. settlement of Port Royal a few miles to Scotia. Built in 1750, the fort safe­ In 1713 was ceded to the the west. It also served as the first seat guarded the British overland route to British. When war with France broke out of European government in Nova Scotia. Halifax and helped to establish a strong in 1755, the British declared that those Fort Anne was designed primarily British presence in the Piziquid area, Acadians who refused to take an oath of to guard the town against naval attack. one of the major Acadian settlements. allegiance to the British Crown would Its batteries were concentrated on the Originally the fort consisted of a be expelled. rivers, leaving the landward approach blockhouse, barracks, officers' quarters About 2000 Acadians were vulnerable to assault. 9 and storehouses. The blockhouse and deported from Grand Pré in 1755. Fami­ the outlines of a ditch are all that remain lies were separated and dispersed to of the original fort. other British territories. However, many The fort's history is described in returned and their descendants live an interpretive display. Fort Edward is today in parts of what was once Acadia. open from June 1st through Labour Day. A stone church stands as a mem­ orial to the Acadian culture and con­ tains a number of displays. There is a bronze statue of Evangeline, the fic­ tional heroine of Longfellow's poem. Grand Pré is open from April 1st to November 30th.

Fort Anne National Historic Park Although the earthwork defences Two years later the entire com­ 10 Kejimkujik National Park have survived, only the powder maga­ munity returned to France. In 1610, 175 km southwest of Halifax. zine in the southwest bastion and the Baron de Poutrincourt brought over a Kejimkujik National Park is a gently- storehouse in the northwest bastion group of settlers who re-occupied the rolling landscape with numerous lakes remain of the original buildings. A colony. Three years later, a band of Vir­ interconnected by smooth-flowing reconstruction of the officers' quarters ginian raiders plundered Port Royal and rivers. Lying in the western part of Nova contains exhibits on the natural history burned down the buildings. Scotia about midway between Anna­ of the area. The Port Royal Habitation was polis Royal and Digby, Kejimkujik is Fort Anne is one of the most pic­ reconstructed in 1938-39 using local accessible by car or canoe. Highway 8 turesque parks in Canada. Located in materials and based on descriptions meets the entrance road to the park just the centre of Annapolis Royal, it offers a and drawings by Champlain and Les- south of Maitland Bridge. sweeping view of the beautiful Anna­ carbot and an archaelogical survey of Kejimkujik is designed to offer 10 polis Basin. the original foundations. The exterior of visitors a wilderness experience. There Fort Anne is open from April 1st the habitation, with its steeply inclined are scenic viewpoints and picnic to October 31st. roofs, tall stone chimneys, a few small grounds, beaches and facilities for windows and restricted access, resem­ canoeing and hiking. Visitors can rent a 9 Port Royal Habitation bles a fort. Inside, the atmosphere of canoe or boat. The park has a system of National Historic Park 17th century Port Royal is recreated in canoe routes and hiking trails that can Port Royal, Nova Scotia, the sparsely furnished quarters of an provide manys hours or days of enjoy­ 210 km west of Halifax. early French settlement. ment. In 1604 a group of colonists, led by Port Royal Habitation is open from Thirty-seven primitive campsites Sieur de Monts and accompanied by April 1st to October 31st. are located along these routes and trails explorer Samuel de Champlain, set out to bring the camper into close contact from France to develop the lucrative fur with the backwoods atmosphere of the trade in the new world. In 1605, de park. Monts fashioned the settlement of Port For a good introduction to the Royal, one of the first European settle­ park, visit the exhibit centre and enjoy a ments in the new world. guided walk along a nature trail or a river tour or an interpretive canoe paddle. Fully-serviced campgrounds are 11 Historic Properties located at Jeremys Bay and Jakes Upper Water Street, Halifax. Landing. The texture of the early 19th century A group campground at Jim Halifax waterfront has been recreated Charles Point can accommodate four through a unique effort by Parks Can­ groups, to a maximum of 100 people, ada, the City of Halifax and private and there is a good beach close by. industry. A group of historically and For those who enjoy winter sports architecturally valuable buildings has such as cross-country skiing and snow- been restored and returned to useful shoeing, a winter campground is oper­ purposes as shops, restaurants, bouti­ ated at Jakes Landing. ques and office complexes, including Kejimkujik is open year-round. the Atlantic Regional Office of Parks Canada. The summer berthing place of 11 the schooner Bluenose II, Historic Prop­ erties also houses information centres for Parks Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia and the City of Halifax.

Kejimkujik National Park 12 Halifax Citadel National Historic Park Halifax, Nova Scotia. The massive defences of the Halifax Citadel offer one of the best surviving examples of 19th century fortifications in Canada. The present fort, completed in 1856, is the fourth and most extensive structure to be erected on this site overlooking Halifax and the harbour. Construction of the present citadel began in 1928. During World War One, it 12 served as a detention camp for pris­ oners of war, a signal post and a radio station. In World War Two, anti-aircraft guns and searchlights were installed. None of its defences was ever tested by enemy attack. Today, Citadel Hill crowns the city of Halifax and offers visitors a sweeping view of the city and harbour. Within its walls can be found a superb collection of military uniforms and weapons, con­ tained in display areas operated by the Nova Scotia Museum and the Army Museum. Although most of the massive stone fortress has been kept in good repair, major restoration work will take place in the next few years. The Halifax Citadel is open year- round.

Halifax Citadel National Historic Park 13 Prince of Wales Martello Tower 14 National Historic Site There are historical displays in the National Historic Site 6 km from downtown Halifax, Nova Fire Command Post and Fortress Plot­ Halifax, Nova Scotia Scotia. ting Room, both built during the Second The Prince of Wales Martello Tower, York Redoubt first served as a defen­ World War. York Rebout is open from built in 1796-97, was the first tower of sive post when Major General James June 1st to September 30th. its kind in North America. It was consid­ Ogilvie established a two gun battery ered the prototype of a new system of there in 1793. The battery was enlarged coastal defences then being designed to eight guns in 1796 by Prince Edward, by British military engineers. Duke of Kent. Two years later a Martello Today, the tower stands largely tower was built, its walls measuring 9 m enclosed by the forest amid the quiet high and 1 m thick. surroundings of Point Pleasant Park. Between the 1860's and the end of Both first and second storeys as well as the 19th century, York Redoubt's forti­ 13 the terreplein (the upper surface where fications were expanded and strength­ the guns are mounted) are open to the ened. During this period Halifax grew public. Exhibits describe the tower's to become one of the most heavily- history, architectural features and its guarded naval bases in the British importance as a defence. Empire. Prince of Wales Martello Tower is York Redoubt served as a training open from June 1st to September 30th. ground for Canadian troops during World War One, and as a Fortress Com­ mand Post and co-ordinating centre for Halifax defences during World War Two. It was a terminus for the anti-submarine net spanning . 15 Visitors travel by bus to the Dau­ National Historic Park phin Gate from the modern visitor 35 km southeast of Sydney, Nova Scotia. reception centre where a slide show and The French began to build the Fortress exhibits introduce them to the park. An of Louisbourg in 1720. For the next 25 interpretive display in the King's Bastion years the town flourished as a fishing barracks portrays Louisbourg's past and port and trade centre. present. Louisbourg was an impressive and Visitors can buy bread made to an in many ways extravagant settlement, 18th century recipe or sit down to an renowned as a centre of commerce. 18th century-style meal at the Hotel de However, its glory was short-lived. In la Marine restaurant located inside the 1745 an army of volun­ fortress. Reproductions of period arti­ 14 teers with British naval support attacked cles such as pewter mugs, plates and and captured the fortress. In 1748 it was spoons can be bought from a shop in returned to the French by a peace treaty the park. but was recaptured in 1758 by the Brit­ Overnight accommodation is avail­ ish who destroyed its fortifications to able in the town of Louisbourg and in prevent a French return. Sydney, 35 km from the park. Louisbourg was declared a The Fortress of Louisbourg is national historic site in 1928 and a open from May 15th to Ocober 15th. An national historic park in 1940. Today admission fee is charged. about one-fifth of the original fortress stands rebuilt to its appearance prior to the siege of 1745 as the result of a reconstruction project started in 1961. Men, women and children dressed in period costume add the final touch of realism to this remarkable reconstruc­ tion.

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Park 16 Alexander Graham Bell Some of the items on display in 17 St. Peters Canal National Historic Park the Bell complex are models of early 50 km northeast of Port Hawkesbury. 75 km west of Sydney, Nova Scotia. telephones, kites, aeronautical equip­ Commanding the isthmus between the Alexander Graham Bell, inventor, ment and a vacuum jacket, forerunner ocean and the Bras d'Or Lakes, St. teacher and researcher, is most famous of the iron lung. The remains of the Bell- Peters has been a centre of Cape for inventing the telephone. He also Baldwin HD-4 hydrofoil are set up in a Breton's fishing industry since Nicolas made important contributions in the special hall with a full-scale replica Denys established the first European fields of medicine, aeronautics, marine beside it. The HD-4 set a world speed settlement in 1653 and had always been engineering and genetics. His long list record of 114 km/h in 1919. considered an ideal site for fortifica­ of achievements include suggesting the Alexander Graham Bell National tions. Denys and his French successors use of radium in the treatment of can­ Historic Park is open year-round. erected small forts, and signs can still cer, inventing the surgical probe and be seen of Fort Dorchester erected by designing a hydrofoil in collaboration the British on the east side of St. Peters 15 with F. W. (Casey) Baldwin. in 1793-1794. Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scot­ Construction of the canal across land in 1847. His family emigrated to the narrow isthmus began in 1854 fol­ Canada when he was a boy and settled lowing the traces of a French portage. in Brantford, . In 1871 Bell left to After a suspension of construction from teach in and eventually became 1856 to 1865 it was finally completed in an American citizen. However, while 1869, and enlarged in 1876-1880, and visiting Baddeck with his family in 1885, again in 1912-1918. Bell was so captivated with the beauty of that he later built a summer estate there called . Here Bell conducted many experiments and produced a number of inventions. The canal consists of four gates 18 Cape Breton Highlands 19 Fort Amherst National Historic Park used in pairs according to the prevailing National Park 16 km east of , Prince tides. It takes about 15 minutes for small Cape Breton Highlands National Park Edward Island. craft to pass through the canal which is encloses an area of 951 km2 stretched Located in Fort Amherst National His­ 14.6 metres wide with a draft of 5.5 across the northern part of Cape Breton toric Park are Port La Joye, the old metres. When craft with a mast height Island. The 303 km Cabot Trail, which French capital of Prince Edward Island, over 6.3 metres pass through, the swing runs along three sides of the park, offers and Fort Amherst, built by the British bridge must be opened and lockage the main route through the park. after they conquered the island in 1758. time is extended to about 45 minutes. Some of the hiking trails lead to Today, it is primarily used by pleasure good fishing lakes in the park's interior craft, and visitors can take advantage while others follow the scenic shoreline. of picnic grounds and camping sites in There is a bathhouse and supervised 16 a nearby provincial park. swimming at Ingonish Beach. Visitors Under normal circumstances, St. can also enjoy unsupervised swimming Peters Canal is open from the begin­ at many other beaches throughout the ning of April until the end of November, park. depending on ice conditions. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a fisherman's paradise for Atlan­ tic salmon and eastern brook trout. The deep-sea fisherman interested in bluefin tuna can charter a local Cape Island fishing boat with an experienced skipper. Bring your golf clubs. The High­ lands Golf Link is one of the best 18- hole courses in Canada. There are six fully-serviced camp­ grounds in the park. Cape Breton High­ lands National Park is open year-round. There are snowshoe and cross-country ski trails for winter visitors.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park In 1720 about 300 settlers on 20 Province House 21 Prince Edward Island National Park board French ships, sailed into what is National Historic Site 25 km north of Charlottetown. now Charlottetown harbour. At a site Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island National Park on the southwestern shore, Port La Birthplace of Confederation and the seat occupies a forty-kilometre strip along Joye, a fishing and farming community of the provincial legislature since 1847, the northern coast of the island and was founded. It was the first permanent Province House stands as an important includes some of the finest saltwater settlement on the island. historic landmark in Charlottetown. beaches in Canada. The British captured Port La Joye In 1864, eight delegates from Try fishing for eastern brook trout. in 1758. Fort Amherst was built but it Upper and met here with You can also catch sea trout, white quickly fell to ruin after 1763 when representatives from the three maritime perch and smelt. Charter a boat from a peace returned. colonies of New Brunswick, Nova local fisherman and go deep-sea fishing Nothing remains of the fort except Scotia and Prince Edward Island to or just cruise. for the earthworks. However, an appre­ discuss proposals for the union of the Tennis buffs will find courts at Dal- 17 ciation of the fort's history can be colonies. vay, Brackley and Cavendish. Golfers gained by viewing the displays on the Although the interior has under­ can try the driving range at Dalvay and site. The grounds afford a picturesque gone extensive renovation, the Confed­ the famous "Green Gables" 18-hole golf view of the countryside and the harbour. eration Chamber where the Fathers of course at Cavendish. There are also Fort Amherst is open from April 1st Confederation met, has been preserved a number of picnic grounds and play­ to November 30th. much as it was in 1864, complete with grounds in the park and a lawn-bowling the original table and chairs. The history green at Dalvay. Cross-country ski trails of Province House is related by guides and snowshoe trails are located in the and through displays on the main floor. eastern section of the park near Long Restoration work may restrict access to Pond. some sections of the building. Province House is open to visitors year-round. 22 Gros Morne National Park Gros Morne National Park is a scenic mixture of mountains, lakes, fjords and bays on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Located 90 km northeast of Corner Brook on Highway 430, the park is an ideal holiday retreat for the outdoor enthusiast. Regular passenger flights operate into Deer Lake, 72 km south­ east of the park. There are many well-marked trails for hikers. A demanding but satisfying 18 experience is a hike on the James Cal- laghan Trail which leads to the base of Gros Morne mountain, a climb of about one kilometre up rough shale and rock that is rewarded by a magnificent view of the national park and out to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The round trip takes about seven hours. You can charter a local fishing You can stay at one of the three boat and see the rugged coastline of full-service campgrounds in the park. Bonne Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence Organized groups can reserve the and, at the same time, try your hand at Brackley group campground through jigging for the famous the park superintendent. cod. Commercial accommodation is available in the park at the Dalvay-by- the-Sea Hotel and other hotel and motel accommodations are located near the park. The park is open year-round.

Prince Edward Island National Park There are fine sandy beaches at 23 Port au Choix National Historic Park Shallow Bay and Western Brook for 250 km north of Corner Brook, those who enjoy a cool refreshing swim Newfoundland. in 10-15°C salt water. Visitors can also The small Newfoundland fishing village go on a commercial boat tour of West­ of Port au Choix is the site of a burial ern Brook Pond and take in spectacular ground of the Maritime Archaic Indians fjord views. who inhabited the Newfoundland and There is a fully-serviced camp­ Labrador coasts more than 5000 years ground at Berry Hill and other desig­ ago. nated camping areas elsewhere in the In 1962, three Maritime Archaic park. Indian cemeteries containing the Gros Morne National Park is open remains of 100 individuals and numer­ year-round. ous artifacts were discovered at Port 19 au Choix. Many of the graves contained hunting weapons such as harpoons, lances, stone-tipped darts and snares. Artifacts are on display in the visi­ tor interpretation centre. Port au Choix is open from June 1st through Labour Day.

Gros Morne National Park 24 L'Anse aux Meadows Radio-carbon dating of bone, charcoal 25 Terra Nova National Park National Historic Park and turf indicate that a Norse settlement Terra Nova National Park lies along the 400 km north of Corner Brook, was established here around the year Trans-Canada Highway, 78 km south of Newfoundland. 1000. Gander on Bonavista Bay. A grassy plain of turf at the northern­ The lifestyle of the Norse settlers One of the best ways to explore most tip of Newfoundland's Great North­ is depicted in the visitor interpretation the park is on foot on one of the hiking ern Peninsula is the site of the oldest centre, where exhibits display repro­ or nature trails. When it gets warm, you known European settlement in the new ductions of collected artifacts. can join other park visitors for a swim at world. Beneath a number of grass-cov­ Picnicking and camping facilities the supervised swimming area at Sandy ered mounds, archaeologists have dis­ are located at Pistolet Bay and commer­ Pond. Also, bring your bike along or covered the only authenticated remains cial accommodation is available at St. rent one when you come — cycling is a of a Viking period Norse settlement in Anthony, 48 km from the park. great way to see Terra Nova National 20 North America. L'Anse aux Meadows is open from Park. Digging has uncovered the June 1st through Labour Day. If you bring a boat, you can launch remains of six houses, a smithy, sauna it at Salton's wharf in Newman Sound or and cooking pits. The design and fea­ at the east end of the causeway in Alex­ tures of the excavated houses and the ander Bay. You can enjoy canoeing on items found in them such as a spinning freshwater ponds or motor-boating on whorl, a bronze pin and a stone lamp, saltwater inlets. If you don't own a attest to the settlement's Norse origins. canoe, you can rent one when you get here. The fishing is excellent at Terra Nova. You can pitch a tent or park your recreational vehicle in the Newman Sound and Alexander Bay camp­ grounds. The South West Arm camp­ ground is available to organized groups by prior reservation. Primitive camp­ grounds are located at South Broad Cove, Dunphy's Pond and on Oldford's Island.

L'Anse aux Meadows Facilities in the park include a gro­ 26 Signal Hill National Historic Park cery store, restaurant, laundromat and Sf. John's, Newfoundland. housekeeping cabins. Other accommo­ Guarding the entrance to the city and dations and facilities are available in harbour of St. John's, Signal Hill was the nearby communities. site of the last battle of the Seven Years Terra Nova is open year-round. War in North America, fought on Sep­ Come enjoy winter camping, skiing or tember 18, 1762. snowshoeing. Europeans began to frequent St. John's in the early 1500's. The hill was used as a lookout and later as a signal station. The guns of the Queen's Bat­ tery, dating back to 1796 overlook the harbour channel, while close by stand 21 the remains of a British barracks, pow­ der magazine, platforms and parapet. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi chose this site for the first transatlantic trans­ mission of signals by wireless telegraph. Cabot Tower, built between 1897 and 1900 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the 400th anni­ versary of John Cabot's voyage to the new world, served as a signal station until 1958. Displays and audio-visual presen­ tations in the visitor interpretation cen­ tre describe the history of Signal Hill. Signal Hill is open year-round.

Terra Nova National Park 27 Cape Spear Lighthouse 28 Castle Hill National Historic Park National Historic Park 120 km southwest of St. John's, 16 km south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Newfoundland. In the mid-1600's the French court, look­ Perched at the easternmost point of ing for a major base for its Newfound­ North America, Cape Spear is one of land fishing fleets, selected a small fish­ the oldest surviving lighthouses in Can­ ing village called Plaisance. It had an ada. It served as a beacon for the har­ excellent harbour, a broad beach for bour from 1836 to 1955. drying cod and a convenient supply of Today a modern tower has fresh water. replaced the old lighthouse but the The site was also flanked by a lighting apparatus, transferred to the prominent hill which later served as the 22 new tower in 1955, is still in use. location of important defences for the The old lighthouse is undergoing town. The main defence, Fort Royal, had restoration and is not yet open to the massive walls built of rubble. public. However, visitors can view the When Plaisance was ceded to the exterior of the square, two-storey struc­ British under the terms of the Treaty of ture and are free to explore the grounds Utrecht in 1713, the town was renamed which contain two gun emplacements Placentia and the hill on which the fort from the Second World War, a modern stood became Castle Hill. lighthouse and a residence. Castle Hill's strategic value can be Cape Spear lighthouse is open to best appreciated by walking among the the public from June 1st through Labour ruins and observing its commanding Day. position overlooking the town, the bay and the countryside. Picnic facilities and walking trails connect the various fortifications in the park. Inside Fort Royal, are the remains of barracks, a powder magazine, guard rooms, a blockhouse and an early hearth. Castle Hill is open from June 1st to October 31 st.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Park