Green Point Lighthouse
A sturdy cast-iron guardian, the Green Point Lighthouse has stood for almost a century and a half.
Since 1883 this red and white beacon has stood 20.7 feet (6.3 metres) tall at the rugged tip of the Port de Grave Peninsula and protected those out at sea while providing peace of mind and prosperity for those onshore.
The story of this iconic lighthouse began with tragedy when the community of Bay Roberts suffered the devastating loss of 45 lives as the Huntsman vessel sank in a storm.
It was at the community’s behest that the classic cylindrical tower was constructed. The Green Point Lighthouse came about as part of an expansion of navigational aids in the colony of Newfoundland in the 19th century that had begun in 1811 with the marking of major shipping routes and, later, minor lights to make local shipping and fishing safer for outport communities.
Standing on the rugged point of rural Port de Grave Peninsula, fierce waves crashing at its base and wild winds whipping about its gallery, the lighthouse has long served as a secondary coastal light, guiding vessels entering the southern entrance to Bay Roberts Harbour. Its presence has helped to not only protect lives offshore, but also livelihoods onshore, playing an important role in the socio-economic development of the communities along the Peninsula. The lighthouse served both the inshore and Labrador fisheries, contributing to the growth of the local economy and surrounding communities.
Fashioned of cast iron, the lighthouse’s straight, cylindrical tower with a red and white colour scheme is typical of many lighthouses built in Newfoundland in the 1870s. Built of a utilitarian and practical design to stand the rigours of the Newfoundland coast, the Green Point Lighthouse has become elevated from functional necessity to rightly be considered an eye-catching feature, as important as any of the natural elements that surround it.
The now-familiar and beloved landmark means a lot to the local communities in the Port de Grave region, who consider it a beacon that has guided generations of their ancestors on the treacherous waters. Locals and visitors alike are drawn to the site to enjoy picnics, take in the ocean views, and breath in the fresh sea air. Nearby residents have staffed the lighthouse for generations, making it a true cultural symbol of the community (though today its light is automated and powered by solar energy).
While it has become as much a draw for tourists as a warning for mariners, the lighthouse continues to this day to guide countless tankers, ferries, fishing and cargo vessels, and recreational boaters. Now the property of the Port de Grave Heritage Society, the Coast Guard continues an operating presence and in 2017, Parks Canada recognized the Green Point Lighthouse as a Heritage Site, providing a plaque to mark the designation.
Picnic on the Peninsula
There are few finer Peninsula traditions than packing a picnic and heading to one of our splendid sites to feed belly and soul. Lovingly packed in a locally-made bread box, you can work up an appetite exploring your exquisite surroundings, then find the perfect spot to settle down for a bite. There are many extraordinary picnic spots on the Peninsula, including the lighthouse, the harbour, and Hibb’s Cove.
Related Links
Churches & Graveyards
Fisherman’s Museum, Hibbs Hole Cove School and Porter House
Harbours & Coves