The desired to be close to the best fishing grounds led to the settlement of Newfoundland's coastline. Sheltered harbours, such as King's Cove, became active ports of trade for merchant vessels from various countries. This development led to the need for proper navigational aids to mark headlands, shoals and rocks that could wreck ships and cause loss of lie. J. T. Neville, Inspector of Lighthouses from 1871-1895, saw it as his mission to support regional and long distance shipping activities.

Built on Western Point in 1893 at a cost of $4,358.41, this beacon in the night has illuminated the way home for generations of fishermen and sailors. ... Designed and manufactured in the Chance Brothers factory in Birmingham, England the separate sections were shipped over and assembled in King's Cove using overlapping riveted joints, common to 1800's ship building and boiler making technology.

The original light was once a one burner kerosene oil lamp which was lit and extinguished daily by the lightkeeper. It was an oscillating white light with 12 revolutions and 2 flashes per minute. Heat on the shades operated the Trotter Lindburg System as the light flashed 24 times per minute with one second of light and darkness alternately. A slight change in 1929 resulted in 14 seconds of visible light and 6 seconds of darkness. In 1932, the lamp burned acetylene gas and was changed to a continuous flashing light making 16 flashes per minute. Advances in technology permitted a change to battery power from 1974 to 1984. The batteries usually lasted a year, at which time they were replaced. In 1984 a battery and solar collector power source was introduced. A 33 watt, 12 volt solar panel charges two lead acid batteries which run the light automatically. The current light uses a Seagull 200mm lens and 0.77 ampere bulb. In addition to the brilliant light, a fog horn sounded from 1930-1940 to warn ships in foul weather.

The first lighthouse keeper was James Batterton of Greenspond. He had lived in St. John's for 15 years prior to coming to King's Cove. As a coxswain for S.S. Plover, James served under Captain Samuel Blandford. Shortly after Blandford's election to the House of Assembly representing Bonavista, he appointed James as first lighthouse keeper in King's Cove, to the dismay of the local population. As an outsider, James' appointment led many to ask "was there not one man in King's Cove who could light a lamp?" After arriving here to assume his duties, James built a small keeper's dwelling house for $750.00. Residents eventually added a large two story stable, pig barn, large cellar and double outhouse. Land was cleared and vegetables were cultivated. A water well was built around the "Holy Well." The residence was torn down in 1934.