Visitors to the bright white building on the coast of Cornwall known as The Huer’s Hut would not be totally incorrect in thinking the structure resembles a crude lighthouse.

Dating back to the 14th century, constructs like the Huer’s Hut housed the “eyes” of the local fishing industry. Instead of spotting and alerting incoming boats, lookouts, called Huers, in such huts would keep watch for passing shoals of fish and then signal the local fishermen to run out for the catch. While most of these huts were made of wood and have long since turned to dust, Cornwall’s rounded stone building seems to have been a deluxe version that has stood the test of time.