Important Dates


  • June 24, 1497
    John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) in the ship Matthew made land at Cape Bonavista, thus discovering North America.

  • August 18, 1704
    Captain Michael Gill, a New England trader, successfully defended Bonavista against an attack of a superior, combined force of French and Indians.

  • 1705
    Bonavista residents, learning of an impending attack of French forces, fortified themselves at Green Island near Cape Bonavista under the leadership of George Skiffington, a Quaker. Rather than face the prospect of an armed confrontation, Skiffington negotiated with the attackers, arranged a ransom payment, and the French withdrew, never to return.

  • 1720
    First Church of England built during the incumbency of Rev. Henry Jones.

  • 1722
    First school in Newfoundland built by Rev. Henry Jones.

  • 1812
    First Methodist Chapel built.

  • 1842
    Roman Catholic Chapel built.

  • 1843
    Cape Bonavista Lighthouse first lit.

  • 1875
    Fishermen's Hall (S.U.F.) built.

  • 1907
    Second Orange Hall (L.O.A.) erected. (1st structure later became Thornlea Hotel)

  • 1911
    First train arrived.

  • 1928
    Bonavista war memorial unveiled, July 1st.

  • 1940
    Bonavista cottage hospital officially opened, July 1st.

  • 1942
    First codfish filleted at the Bonavista Cold Storage Co.

  • 1952
    First Town Council elected. (This council was abolished the following year, fulfilling a promise made by then Premier Joseph R. Smallwood during the 1953 Federal Election, to look into alleged ‘irregularities' surrounding its formation)

  • 1964
    Town of Bonavista reincorporated, November 24.

  • 1965
    First council following reincorporation elected, March 20.

  • 1966
    - Cabot Stadium opened in January
    - Fire Brigade organized, first fire apparatus, a 625 G.P.M. triple combination pumper, placed in service.

  • 1978
    Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, after undergoing extensive renovations and restoration, officially opened as a Provincial Historic Site by the Honourable James Morgan, Minister of Tourism, August 9.

  • June 24, 1997
    - Bonavista and the rest of the world celebrate John Cabot's 500th anniversary.
    - Parks Canada officially opened the Ryan Premises, comemmorating the fishery of Newfoundland and Labrador.

  • June 24, 1998
    Bonavista launches its own Matthew ship replica. Check out Ye Matthew Legacy website at www.matthewlegacy.com