By Charlie Bown
This is a little story about the lighthouse situated on the eastern point of Bell Island. Construction started in 1939 and it officially opened in 1940. This lighthouse performed a very important function during World War II, with its call letters of "n" for nuts and "a" for apple informing the loaded ore carriers in Conception Bay that a convoy was waiting for them.
Thousands of visitors gather at the lighthouse every summer, some to eat their lunch on the beautiful grounds, others go up in the tower where the light is located. From this vantage point one can see the Bauline Shore, where the outcrop of iron ore from Bell Island occurs. At the end of this shore can been Cape St. Francis. Across from this point is Baccalieu Island, a bird sanctuary. All the North Shore of Conception Bay can be seen on a clear day. During the months of July and August whales can been seen on the surface of the water.
Many tourists, when they leave the ferry, go straight to the lighthouse as their first stop before touring the island. As these busloads of people travel over Lighthouse Road, they are in for a surprise. At the top of the lighthouse hill the provincial road ends, and so does the pavement. The busses almost come to a stop because ahead is a dirt road full of potholes and the beginning of the federal government property.
After confederation every federal member had as his or her platform that this road would be paved. The people of Bell Island are to this day waiting for this to happen. So much for politicians and their promises before they get elected.