St. John's history

Foundation and First Mentions

St. John's is often called the oldest city in North America founded by the English. According to popular tradition, the city received its name in honour of the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, when the Italian navigator in English service, John Cabot, supposedly docked at its shores in 1497. However, the exact location of Cabot's landing remains a subject of historical debate.

It is reliably known that by the early 16th century, the protected harbour was actively used by European fishermen. The official date of the territory's inclusion into English possessions is considered 5 August 1583, when Sir Humphrey Gilbert solemnly declared Newfoundland the property of Queen Elizabeth I, although a permanent settlement formed here only several decades later.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a seasonal station into an important urban centre was driven by a unique combination of geographical and economic reasons:

• Ideal Harbour: A deep-water port, protected from storms by a narrow strait (The Narrows), provided safe anchorage for vessels crossing the Atlantic.
• Proximity to Resources: The city is located in immediate proximity to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland — one of the richest fishing grounds in the world.
• Strategic Position: Being the most easterly point of the continent, St. John's became a natural outpost for controlling sea routes and defense against rival powers, especially France.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first centuries of its existence, the economy of St. John's was monocultural and completely dependent on cod fishing. The city developed not as a classic settlement of colonists, but as a trading and transit point. A harsh atmosphere prevailed here: the population consisted mainly of temporary workers, sailors, and merchants arriving for the fishing season.

The cultural landscape was formed under the influence of immigrants from South West England (West Country) and Ireland. This mixing of traditions laid the foundation for the unique dialect and folklore that distinguish St. John's today. Despite bans on permanent housing construction (so as not to encourage settlement to the detriment of English merchants' interests), the city gradually grew with warehouses, wharves, and taverns, turning into the capital of a fishing empire.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1497 — According to legend, navigator John Cabot reaches the harbour on the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, which gives the place its name.
• 1583 — Sir Humphrey Gilbert officially proclaims Newfoundland the first overseas possession of England.
• 1665–1762 — The city is repeatedly subjected to attacks and captures by the Dutch and French during the struggle for control over North America.
• 1762 — The Battle of Signal Hill becomes the last battle of the Seven Years' War on the continent and secures British dominance.
• 1888 — St. John's officially receives city status and establishes a municipal council to manage local affairs.
• 1892 — The Great Fire destroys a large part of the city, leading to massive reconstruction and the formation of the modern architectural look of the centre.
• 1901 — Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic wireless radio signal in history from England on Signal Hill.
• 1919 — Pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown fly out of St. John's, completing the first successful non-stop flight across the Atlantic.
• 1941 — During World War II, the city becomes a strategically important base for Allied forces and the fleet in the Battle of the Atlantic.
• 1949 — Newfoundland joins Canada as the tenth province, and St. John's becomes its capital.
• 1992 — The introduction of a federal moratorium on cod fishing leads to serious economic changes and a rethinking of the role of fisheries.
• 1997 — The start of oil extraction at the "Hibernia" offshore field opens a new chapter in the economic development of the region.

Stages That Shaped the Modern Look

The history of St. John's is a series of falls and rises, each of which has left an indelible mark on the city map and in the character of its residents. Here are the key moments that define how tourists see the city today:

• Architectural Rebirth (1892): The Great Fire destroyed almost the entire city, but this tragedy kickstarted a massive reconstruction. It was thanks to the recovery after the fire that the centre of St. John's acquired its unique Victorian style with mansard roofs and the famous colourful houses known as "Jellybean Row".
• Status as a World Communications Capital (1901): The reception of the first transatlantic signal by Guglielmo Marconi on Signal Hill forever secured the city's status as a technological outpost. This event turned St. John's into a global communications hub, attracting world attention to its strategic position.
• Infrastructural Leap (1940s): During World War II, the presence of American and Canadian military bases radically changed the economy. Modern roads appeared in the city, Torbay Airport (now St. John's International Airport) was built, and the Pleasantville area transformed from a military base into a residential and administrative quarter.
• Political Integration (1949): Newfoundland's entry into Canada changed the status of St. John's from the capital of a separate dominion to a provincial capital. This opened access to federal development programmes and social guarantees, linking the isolated island with the mainland economy.
• Cultural Renaissance through Crisis (1992): The moratorium on cod fishing was a shock that left thousands of people without work, but it also forced the city to seek new paths. This led to a flourishing of tourism, art, and music. St. John's reimagined itself as a cultural capital, betting on hospitality and the creative potential of its residents.
• Energy Rise (from 1997): The beginning of offshore oil extraction brought significant investments to the region. "Oil money" allowed for the restoration of historic buildings, the opening of high-class restaurants, and the modernization of the urban environment, turning St. John's into a modern and comfortable city that still preserves the spirit of antiquity.

Urban Development and the Legacy of Fires

Despite its status as one of the oldest settlements in North America, the architectural appearance of St. John's is relatively young. The reason for this was a series of devastating fires in the 19th century, culminating in the Great Fire of 1892. It destroyed most of the wooden structures, forcing the city to be reborn.

The city's layout is dictated by the complex terrain: streets wind their way up from the harbour along the steep slopes of the hills. This created a unique multi-tiered amphitheatre where houses are located on terraces, opening up a view of the ocean. The historic centre has preserved the dense development characteristic of port cities of the British Empire.

Architectural Styles and Eras

In St. John's, traditions of the Old and New Worlds have mixed. The main styles defining the face of the city relate to the Victorian era and the reconstruction period of the late 19th century:

• Second Empire: The most recognizable style of the city, which became popular after the fire of 1892. Its distinctive feature is mansard roofs with curved slopes and dormer windows. This style was chosen for practical reasons: it allowed for maximum use of attic space for living.
• Gothic Revival: Vividly represented in church architecture. The main example is the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, designed by the famous architect George Gilbert Scott. This is one of the best examples of Gothic Revival in North America.
• Lombard Romanesque: The Catholic Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is built in this rare style for the region. The building with two towers, completed in 1855, was for a long time the largest church structure on the continent and symbolized the influence of the Irish community.
• Neoclassicism: A strict and monumental style used for administrative buildings. An example is the Colonial Building (the former parliament building) with its Ionic columns and symmetrical façade, emphasizing British order.

Iconic Elements and Modernity

A special place in the architecture is occupied by the famous "Jellybean Row" — rows of brightly painted wooden houses in the Victorian style. Initially, this tradition arose to make the city brighter against the backdrop of frequent fogs, and today these colourful façades are the calling card of St. John's.

The city's modern architecture is carefully integrated into the historical context. The brightest example of postmodernism and respect for tradition is the cultural centre The Rooms. Its silhouette repeats the outlines of traditional fishing huts ("fishing rooms"), but is executed on the scale of a grand modern complex of glass and concrete, dominating the city skyline.

Famous Personalities and Historical Figures

St. John's, being one of the oldest cities on the continent, became a starting point for many historical events. The fates of discoverers, inventors, and modern cultural figures are connected with this place.

• John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) — Navigator and Explorer.
  An Italian navigator in English service. Although the exact place of his landing in 1497 remains a subject of debate, tradition firmly links the discovery of Newfoundland and the naming of the city specifically with his expedition.
• Sir Humphrey Gilbert — English Colonizer.
  A key figure in the history of the British Empire. In 1583, in the harbour of St. John's, he solemnly read the patent of Queen Elizabeth I, officially declaring the island a possession of England, which laid the political foundation of the city.
• Guglielmo Marconi — Physicist and Radio Engineer.
  A Nobel laureate who turned St. John's into a world communications capital. In 1901, on Signal Hill, he received the first transatlantic wireless signal in history, proving the possibility of radio communication across the ocean.
• John Alcock and Arthur Brown — Aviators.
  British pilots who inscribed the city into aviation history. In 1919, they took off from Lester's Field in St. John's and completed the world's first successful non-stop flight across the Atlantic, landing in Ireland.
• Terry Fox — Athlete and Humanitarian.
  A national hero of Canada. In 1980, he began his famous "Marathon of Hope" right here in St. John's, dipping his artificial leg into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the city harbour to start a run across the entire country to raise funds for the fight against cancer.
• Alan Doyle — Musician and Actor.
  Frontman of the cult folk-rock band Great Big Sea. A native of the region, he played a huge role in popularizing the unique musical culture and folklore of Newfoundland far beyond Canada's borders.
• Brad Gushue — Athlete (Curling).
  Olympic champion and multiple world champion. A resident of St. John's whose victories made the city an important centre for the development of curling and brought the province world sporting fame.