Bonavista, NL

We started our day heading back up the Bonavista Peninsula to explore the town of Bonavista and the surrounding area. It is here in Bonavista where John Cabot was thought to have first spied land in the New World in 1497. At the very top of the peninsula is Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. The lighthouse was constructed between 1841 and 1843. In 1962 the lighthouse was decommissioned when the light was automated and placed on a steel tower. Today the lighthouse is a provincial historic site.

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

Looking out to sea

John Cabot Landfall
Statue

A short distance down the road is Dungeon Provincial Park. The relentless wave action of the North Atlantic against the rocks has formed this rugged coastline. Unfortunately we did not continue down the road far enough to see the collapsed sea caves but still managed to see some amazing rock formations.

Horses and cattle roam the provincial park

Rugged coastline

Dramatic rock formations

Caves formed by the continuously pounding surf 

Along the shoreline of Bonavista there are scattered remains of fish flakes and stages. I’ve mentioned flakes before but not stages. They are the primitive wooden buildings that were essential for the cod fisherman for salting and drying their fish. After various periods under salt in the stage, the fish was washed a final time and placed on the flake to be dried by the sun. Depending on temperature, sunlight, and precipitation this process could take days. It was very time consuming and usually performed by the women in the fishing family.

Fish flake and stages

Crowded Bonavista Harbour

Bonavista has approximately 1000 heritage buildings dating back to the early 19th century. The Mockbeggar Plantation was built in 1733 and is the oldest surviving building on the coast. It served many functions such as a saltfish store, a salmon packing house, a barter shop, and a temporary church just to name a few.

Mockbeggar Plantation

Overlooking Bonavista’s inner harbour is the courthouse which was constructed in 1897-1900. The first courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1897. Formal justice came to town in 1729.

The courthouse...yellow building in the middle sitting atop the
hill overlooking the harbour

The Ryan Premises National Historic Site commemorates the rich history of Newfoundland’s cod industry. It was once the home of James Ryan Ltd one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest salt fish mercantile firms. At one time boats loaded with salt cod left the tiny village of Bonavista and sailed to ports around the world.

Proprietor's House

Retail Shops

Salt Store