Customs House (Harbour Grace)
Customs House (Harbour Grace)![[Customs House: Image]](018.jpg)
This building, which now houses the Conception Bay Museum, was built in 1870. The first recorded structure on the site was the pirate fort of Peter Easton w hich was constructed in 1610. The earliest customs house in Harbour Grace is reported to have been located in the vicinity of the Two Sisters rock formation. The Water St. Iocation, however, served as the site of the customs house at least from the turn of the 19th century. Reports indicate the present building replaced a wooden, cottage roofed building built on the site in 1800 which also served as customs house. The following letter which appeared in the Harbour Grace Standard on 29 July 1867 would indhicate that by the late 1860's replace- ment of that building was a matter of some urgency.
Dear Sir: Yours Beta On the grounds there is a monument to the role of Harbour Grace in the history of transatlantic flight. In the summer months when the museum is open the flags of prominent 19th century Harbour Grace merchant firms as well as the solid black pirate flag of Peter Easton are flown from the poles next to the building. The skull and crossbones flag was adopted by later pirates.
I see by the Supply Act of 1867 that the Legislature granted the sum of $6,000 for the erection of a Custom House in Harbout Grace. It is high time that the said building be commenced - even supposing a piece of land for the site thereof had to be purcllased, the above handsome grant w ould be quite sufficient therefor, and for the erection of the building. If this be not done, we may well fear that the present contracted old crumbling apology for a Custom House will, before long, fall down.