The community of King’s Cove, originally known as Canning’s Cove, began to develop into a community in the 1750s. This newly developed community was well educated and self-sufficient. The harbour was chosen since it was deep, safe for ships, and provided protection from westerly winds. The coastline of Bonavista Bay being so rugged, King’s Cove was considered to be “the best of a bad lot”. In 1836, the population of King’s Cove was 413, and it grew to 582 in 1901. Once the decision was made to by-pass King’s Cove during the construction of the rail bed, the population began to drop. This, combined with recent drops in the fishery, resulted in a population of 160 residents in 1996.

The lighthouse was built in 1893, after some fifty shipwrecks occurred in Bonavista Bay. It was constructed of pre-cast iron shipped from Birmingham, England. The first lighthouse in Newfoundland to be fitted with a revolving kerosene light system from Sweden, it was visible from 14 nautical miles. For over sixty years, the position of Lighthouse Keeper was held by the Batterton family, until technology made the need for a full-time keeper unnecessary. The path to the lighthouse became known as “Battertons Path” and by the 1920's , 22 permanent dwellings were built along this lane.

The Battertons lived in a two-storey house close to the lighthouse and were somewhat removed from the rest of the community. The children were referred to as “cliff dwellers” because they lived on the prominent headland away from the rest of the community. The fact that the family had a permanent paying position may have created a class distinction between themselves and the rest of the community.

King’s Cove is located in the general area that is referred to as the Crown Hill Formation where red and maroon terrigenous (sediments derived from erosion) sandstones and conglomerates (sedimentary rock composed largely of pebbles or other rounded particles) are present. These rock formations are referred to as redbeds and contained within them are green to grey units of sandstone and siltstone that host copper mineralization.

In 1993, the King’s Cove Historical Society celebrated their history with the King’s Cove Lighthouse Festival. This has become a successful annual event that celebrates our rich heritage. The first day of this three day festival begins with a walk out to the historical footpath of the Lighthouse tower. This year the Lighthouse Sunrise walk is scheduled for August 8, 2002.