St. John's Signal Hill National Historic Site

St. John's Signal Hill National Historic Site

At the entrance to St. John's harbor, overlooking the city and sea, is Signal Hill National Historic Site. It was here, in 1901, that the first wireless transatlantic signal was received. It also played a strategic role in the Seven Years war with France, although the current fortifications were built during the hostilities of 1812.

The Cabot Tower is one of the key sites of Signal Hill. It was built in 1897 to mark the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Newfoundland. It also now commemorates Guglielmo Marconi's reception here in 1901 of the first transatlantic radio telegraphy signal, transmitted over a distance of 2,700 kilometers from Poldhu in England.

In the tower are exhibitions on the history of Signal Hill and the history of communications (with a special section on Marconi).

From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the coast as far as Cape Spear — the most easterly point of North America.

Getting There

Signal Hill National Historic Site is located in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Here's information about public transport and the nearest airport:

Public Transport in St. John's

- St. John's has a public transportation system operated by Metrobus Transit, which includes buses serving various routes in the city.

- Buses are a common mode of transport to reach Signal Hill and other parts of St. John's.

Nearest Airport

- The nearest major airport to St. John's is St. John's International Airport (YYT).

- St. John's is St. John's International Airport is approximately 7-10 kilometers (about 4-6 miles) from Signal Hill.

Visitors can use various transportation options to travel from St. John's is St. John's International Airport to Signal Hill, including taxis, ride-sharing services, airport shuttles, and public transit. Metrobus Transit operates routes connecting the airport to different parts of the city, making it accessible for travelers.

Once in the vicinity of Signal Hill National Historic Site, you can explore the area on foot, visiting the historic site, hiking trails, and enjoying panoramic views of St. John's and the Atlantic Ocean.