I had, unfortunately, read about this a few months after being in Stephenville for the first time. I marked it on my map for future reference with the idea that, someday, I would return.
Construction of this lighthouse began in July, 1871, as granite was quarried from nearby. Advice and equipment were supplied by D&T Stevenson, an engineering firm from Scotland. With a light standing 95 feet above sea level, it could be seen as far away as 13 miles in clear weather.
While driving along the South coast of Newfoundland, I was exploring every side road. I was surprised to see a small harbour with a large building and a few vehicles parked around it. Initially, I wrote it off and looked for a place to turn around. After a second glance, I realized that there were some gaping holes in the wall and no activity inside. Perhaps this warranted a closer look at what turned out to be a fish processing plant.
I cannot count the number of years, let alone the number of individual times, that I've passed this location and thought to myself, "I really should stop there at some point and have a look around". Finally, I took the opportunity to do so on the long weekend of September.
It was a beautiful day while camping on the shores of Lake Superior when we hit the open road to do some exploring. There were several targets on our list this fine day, but this was a chance find on Google Maps.
Completed in 1954 by the US Air Force, this radar station was part of the Pinetree Line, a group of radar sites across Canada used as part of the defense against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It was manned by the 914th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.
As is often the case with these things, I wasn't completely sure as to the exact location of this town when I arrived. In fact, I wasn't completely sure there was even anything left to see. However, we were on vacation, we were in the area, give or take a few hundred kilometres, why not go take a look?
We arrived on a bright and sunny May morning, parked and proceeded to the front entrance to begin our tour. My attention was initially distracted by the person positioned there to check me in and give me instructions before I noticed the sheer magnitude and domination of this entrance. Of course, that was its design... Instant intimidation of anyone entering through the massive doors.
Construction was completed on the USAF's Ramore Air Station in 1953. The station was first manned by the USAF's 912th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron. The early warning 917th AC&W Squadron resided there until January 1962. During this time, the Americans became a big part of the surrounding area's community life.
After two days of driving, experiencing the James Bay Road, and eventually falling asleep under the blanket of Northern Lights, I awoke Tuesday morning excited and raring to go. I was to meet Roger, my contact, at his business in Chisasibi, a First Nations community about 100 km west of Radision, QC.
