Fort Amherst, St. John's

The Narrows, is the only passage from the Atlantic Ocean to St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland, bordered north and south by steep rock walls. A skilled captain is required to navigate large ships through the Narrows, known as “threading the eye of the needle”. The channel has a least depth of 11 metres and at its narrowest point near Chain Rock is 61 metres wide. From at least circa 1830, metal rings were set into the rock on either side of the Narrows so that boats could "warp in" and be hauled along to clear the cliffs and dangerous rocks in the water. In 1855, work began to blast away the submerged top of the Merlin Rock to make a safer passage for steam ships.The Narrows has served an important defense of the city of St. John’s from early pirates and settlers in 1655 to World War II. In 1655 vice admiral Christopher Martin erected a fort on the south side to prevent privateers and enemy vessels from entering the port. In the mid 17th century, fortifications, known as Signal Hill, were built on a north-side hill, affording a view of the Narrows and the harbor. In 1763 Fort Amherst was built in the same area. In the late 18th century a defensive chain was erected across the narrows from Chain Rock to Pancake Rock which could be raised in the event of enemy ships advancing into the harbour. During World War II a steel mesh was installed to prevent enemy submarines from entering the harbor. The Fort Amherst Lighthouse, now a heritage site, was erected at South Head, at the entrance to the Narrows to guide approaching vessels.The south side of the Narrows was referred to as South Battery before 1800, then the residential fishing community was known as Southside East, and finally Fort Amherst, St. John's, which includes the historic lighthouse.

The Battle of Signal Hill was fought on September 15, 1762, and was the last battle of the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War. A British force under Lieutenant Colonel William Amherst recaptured St. John's, which the French had seized earlier that year in a surprise attack.

Cabot Tower is a tower in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, situated on Signal Hill. Construction of the tower began in 1898 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's landing in Newfoundland, and Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first trans-Atlantic wireless message at a position near the tower, the letter "S" in Morse Code sent from Poldhu, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Cabot Tower is now the centre of the Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada, with walking trails and an interpretation centre.

Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the harbour and city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The majority of Signal Hill, including Cabot Tower, is designated a National Historic Site. The highest point, Ladies' Lookout, is 167 m (548 ft) high. Due to its strategic placement overlooking the Narrows, the only entrance to the harbour, fortifications date back to the mid 17th century. On 12 December 1901, the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received there by Guglielmo Marconi. Adjacent to the National Historic site is the Johnson Geo Centre and Johnson Geo Vista Park. The community of The Battery lies on the slope of the hill overlooking the harbour, and Memorial University of Newfoundland has a campus on the lower slopes, in the former Battery Hotel.

The Battery is a neighbourhood within the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador that sits on the entrance to the harbour, on the slopes of Signal Hill. It is sometimes described as an outport within the city of St. John's and is noted for its steep slopes, and colourful houses. The Battery has been the site, over the centuries, for gun emplacements (batteries), such as Fort Waldegrave, for the defence of St. John's Harbour, including during both World Wars.

Fort Waldegrave was a battery or an emplacement for heavy guns in St. John’s Newfoundland, strategically overlooking the Narrows and St John’s Harbour.

The Johnson Geo Centre is a geological interpretation centre located on Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The museum is named for philanthropist Paul Johnson and opened in 2002.

Anderson House is a wooden, two and one half storey hip roofed heritage-designated building located at 42 Powers Court, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a Vernacular Georgian style building and is reported to be one of the oldest structures in the city of St. John's.

Mallard Cottage is a heritage-designated building located within Quidi Vidi Village in the City of St.John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The cottage is a one-and-a-half-stories with a hipped roof and central chimney. The architecture is an example of early 19th century vernacular style patterned on Irish thatched-roofed cottages. Though the exact date of construction cannot be confirmed, based on evidence from construction techniques, architectural style, and oral history the date for its construction are placed between 1820 and 1840, making it one of the oldest residential structures in St. John's. Two other buildings in St.John's of the same style are Anderson House, built 1804–1805, and Martin McNamara House, exact construction date unknown. These three structures are the best preserved examples of late 18th and early 19th century architecture in St.John's.

Quidi Vidi is a neighbourhood in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Its pronunciations vary, even amongst longtime residents, but "Kiddy Vidi" is the most common. One theory behind the name is that it was named after a beloved cat named Vidi. The village is adjacent to Quidi Vidi Lake (where the Royal St. John's Regatta is held the first Wednesday in August, weather permitting). Quidi Vidi's harbour is known as "The Gut". Located in Quidi Vidi is the Quidi Vidi Battery Provincial Historic Site. The village is home to several small businesses.

Quidi Vidi Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Quidi Vidi village, a neighbourhood of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Founded in 1996 by David Fong in a former fish plant, the brewery is an important tourist destination. Currently, over 25 different brews are offered year round; including the famous blue bottled Iceberg Beer, which is made with 20,000 year old iceberg water which is harvested from icebergs off the coast of Newfoundland.Quidi Vidi Brewery is the third-largest brewer in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, after Labatt and Molson. Its products are available province-wide in liquor stores, corner stores and on draft. Quidi Vidi Brewery’s beer can also be found in other provinces across Canada like Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Quidi Vidi Lake is a 1,600 m (1 mi) long body of water located at the east end of the city of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Local people commonly pronounce its name as kiddy viddy. Water flows into the lake from the Rennies and Virginia Rivers, along with smaller streams, and then into the sea through Quidi Vidi harbour. The lake has a long history of hosting sporting events, including the annual Royal St. John's Regatta, said to be the oldest continuous sporting event still held in North America. The former Pepperrell Air Force Base was located on the north shore of the lake and a military presence continues in the form of Canadian Forces Station St. John's (CFS St. John's)). The South shore of the Lake has a number of residential and apartment complexes. A number of cultural events are held at Lakeside.Quidi Vidi Lake has a 3.8-kilometre (2.4 mi) leg of St. John's Grand Concourse walking trail surrounding it. On the north end of the walking trail is a fenced-in outdoor dog park and a skate board park.