Bonavista, Newfoundland: Ryan Premises and the Harbour

Bonavista and its harbour played an important role in the fishing and sealing industries in Canada beginning in the 16th century. Fishermen from Spain, Portugal, France and England traveled across the ocean to reap the bounty of the nearby fishing grounds that teemed with wildlife.

The Ryan Premises, once owned by fish merchant James Ryan, is a preserved example of a large merchant operation. Now a national historic site, it features five buildings that tell the tale of the region’s fishing past.

Fishing remains an important commercial industry in Bonavista, as seen by the many fishing vessels in the harbour, each with their own unique character and name.

Castle Hill National Historic Site, Newfoundland

There’s something haunting about visiting a place that holds echoes of the past. As we walked from the Visitor Centre to the hilltop overlooking the bay and town of Placentia (Plaisance), our steps landed on the same path as first the French and then the English soldiers who lived, fought and died here. What passed through their minds as they ran along this narrow trail to man the guns against the enemy? Did the sun sparkle through the trees as it did when we visited? Was it night time and raining? Or was winter hard on them and the snow deep and cold? It’s hard in our modern day to imagine the boom of cannons and the sounds of muskets firing but there was a time when this small fort played an important role in the history of our country.

Castle Hill National Historic Site is situated high above the town of Placentia/Plaisance in Newfoundland. The remnants of the old fort can be seen in the stone walls and the history of the region is brought alive at the Visitor Centre, which provides audio tours and visual exhibits. The French were here first (1662) because of the abundant fisheries while the fort was also a strategic location from which to protect French Canada from attack by the British. In 1713, the French army relocated to Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, and it wasn’t long before the British moved in. They stayed until 1811.