The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Major William Howe was an architect who came to Newfoundland in 1892. He saw the potential of making big money from the rebuilding of St. John's after the Great Fire of that year. In 1897, plans were set in motion to do something special to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Cabot's landing in Newfoundland and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Archbishop Michael Francis Howley was appointed chairman of the committee, which was to establish a commemorative building on Signal Hill. The Archbishop's plans for a grandiose design were submitted to Greene who modified them to suit the location and budget. Constructed under the supervision of Henry Thomas, Cabot Tower was opened on June 20, 1900. The cost of construction? A mere $7,000. Did you know that beach rocks from Conception Bay were taken to the United States in 1910 to the Boston area, where they were used in ornamental construction work. It came about when a U.S. company was given permission to export beach stones from the province. Something to Ponder: If you don't want your children to hear what you are saying pretend you are talking to them!
