Day Tours Lesson Plans and Resources

Heart's Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site
Heart's Content, Newfoundland

Contact Information:
Linda Badcock, Bob Balsom
Provincial Historic Sites
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NF, A1B4J6
(709) 729-0592 (off season)
(709) 583-2160 (in season)
heartscontent@nf.aibn.com
1-800-563-6353

* 75 minutes from St. John's
* Open June to October
10:00 am to 5:30 pm Daily
* Guided Tours for Groups arranged
* Small Gift shop on site.

The Site

In 1866 the worlds then largest ship"Great Eastern," landed the first successful trans-Atlantic Telegraph Cable at Heart's Content, Newfoundland. The Cable link ushered in important changes in global communications and in Heart's Content social and economic structure. The world became a smaller place as messages that once took weeks for ships to deliver across the Atlantic now took only hours by Telegraph Signal. The history of communications development in Heart's Content, with much of the old equipment that had been used during the station's 99 year's of operation, is now on display at the former telegraph station building.

The impact of the telegraph company operations on the people of Heart's Content was great. There was a separation between the British born managers, the local residents who were company staff, and those who did not work for the company. This structure can be seen in the Cable Station's old employee's lists and in the homes built for "company staff." Stories from residents growing up at this time tell about the differences in services and opportunities available to company employees and other residents.

The Heart's Content Cable Station is located in Heart's Content, Trinity Bay. Turn right off the Trans Canada Highway at Whitbourne onto Route 80.

Resources