Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula
in Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. As of 2006, there are 4,723 people living in Carbonear, down from 4,759 in 2001.
There are a number of different theories about the origin of the town's name. Possibly from the Spanish word "carbonera" (charcoal kiln); Carbonera, a town near Venice Italy where John Cabot is believed to have been born; or from a number of French words, most likely "Charbonnier" or "Carbonnier". One of the more recent and more interesting theories is by Alwyn Ruddock
of the University of London
, one of the world's foremost experts on John Cabot
's expeditions to the New World. She suggests that a group of reformed Augustinian
friars led by the high ranking Giovanni Antonio de Carbonariis, accompanied Cabot on his second voyage in 1498 to establish a religious community in Newfoundland for the Augustinian order of the Carbonara. She believes that the settlement was established, though was probably short-lived, and a church built in the name of the order, the modern name of the town being a surviving relic. If true, Carbonear would not only have been the first Christian settlement of any kind in North America, but would have been home to the oldest, and only, medieval church built in North America. Evan Jones of the University of Bristol
is currently carrying out further investigations of Dr Ruddock's claims.
At any rate, by the time the British began permanent colonization of the island in the early 17th century, the name Carbonear was already being used by the seasonal fishermen familiar with the area. Most of the area's land had been granted to Sir Percival Willoughby
, and one of Carbonear's first residents was Nicholas Guy
, co-founder of the first British colony in Canada at Cuper's Cove (now Cupids), founder of the Bristol's Hope Colony (now Harbour Grace), and father of the first English child born in Canada. He moved there from the other colonies by no later 1631 to fish and farm the land with his family in an agreement with Willoughby, and the Guy family remained the predominant planter family in Carbonear throughout the 17th century.
At about this time legend tells of an Irish princess of the O'Conner family, Sheila NaGeira
, who settled in Carbonear after being rescued by the privateer Peter Easton
and marrying his first officer Gilbert Pike. Much is known about Easton and his exploits, but hard evidence of NaGeira has yet to be found. That has not stopped the legend's story of romance, pirates, and New World adventure from inspiring much research and numerous works of fiction on the topic.
By the late 17th century, unlike many settlements in Newfoundland from this period where men outnumbered the women by a ratio of ten to one, Carbonear was a true community with many women and children helping to grow the town's prosperity. Unfortunately, this prosperity also made it a target for England's enemies, and when war broke out with France it came under the attack of the French captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
during the Avalon Peninsula Campaign
. The citizens survived by retreating to the fortified Carbonear Island
, but the town, documented by the French as being "very well-established" containing properties that were "the best-built in all of Newfoundland", was burned to the ground. During four months of raids Iberville was responsible for the destruction of thirty-six Newfoundland settlements and by the end of March 1697, only Bonavista
and Carbonear Island remained in English hands.
Over the next hundred years Carbonear was attacked and burned two more times by the French in their attempts to control Newfoundland, and then later again by American privateers. The residents continued to improve the fortifications using their own money and although the town was repeatedly burned, Carbonear Island protected its residents and the town grew into one of the most important settlements in Newfoundland in this period. When Judiciary districts were set up to govern the island in 1729 by Commodore Governor Henry Osborn, Carbonear was recognized and was chosen as one of the six initial districts. With new French threats, the British finally erected a fort and garrison on the Island in 1743, but this eventually fell to the French who burned the buildings and tossed the cannons over the cliffs in 1762 where they still lay. Excavations began in 2010 to learn more about the Island's role in colonial North America, and the first summer's work has uncovered approximately 1300 artifacts. The Carbonear Heritage Society is developing a interpretive museum exhibit for these and future finds.
With the rise of the seal hunt and the Labrador cod fishery, Carbonear became a major commercial centre in the 19th century. More sea captains were produced in Carbonear for the foreign fishing trade than from any other Newfoundland outport
in this era. Violent political riots here in the early and mid-19th century led to the dissolution of the Newfoundland Legislature in 1841 and the suspension of the constitution. In fact, political riots were so common here during this period, especially during elections, the term Carbonearism arose to describe the behaviour. Rail service began in 1898 (with a 1st class ticket to St. John's costing $2) and expanded with a new rail station in 1917 operating until the closure of the rail line in 1984.
In the late 20th century the economy was forced to diversify. The seal hunt and the Labrador fishery had almost disappeared, as did Carbonear's importance as a shipbuilding centre, and therefore its value as an international port of trade. Fish processing continued to be the primary industry until the collapse of the cod fishery
in the early 1990s. The fish processing plant has been converted to process crab and most recently seal. To counter the collapsing economy, Carbonear is evolving. With two college campuses, a shopping centre, a major hospital, and three long-term care facilities the town has energized its importance as a regional retail, service, transportation, government, and cultural centre, earning it the nickname "Hub of the Bay".
There is currently a new K-8 school under construction.
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. As of 2006, there are 4,723 people living in Carbonear, down from 4,759 in 2001.
History
The town of Carbonear is one of the oldest permanent settlements in Newfoundland and among the oldest settlements in North America lending to a rich and interesting history.There are a number of different theories about the origin of the town's name. Possibly from the Spanish word "carbonera" (charcoal kiln); Carbonera, a town near Venice Italy where John Cabot is believed to have been born; or from a number of French words, most likely "Charbonnier" or "Carbonnier". One of the more recent and more interesting theories is by Alwyn Ruddock
Alwyn Ruddock
Alwyn Ruddock was a noted British historian of the Age of Discovery, best known for her research on the 'English' voyages of the 15th-century explorer John Cabot...
of the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, one of the world's foremost experts on John Cabot
John Cabot
John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer whose 1497 discovery of parts of North America is commonly held to have been the first European encounter with the continent of North America since the Norse Vikings in the eleventh century...
's expeditions to the New World. She suggests that a group of reformed Augustinian
Augustinians
The term Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo , applies to two separate and unrelated types of Catholic religious orders:...
friars led by the high ranking Giovanni Antonio de Carbonariis, accompanied Cabot on his second voyage in 1498 to establish a religious community in Newfoundland for the Augustinian order of the Carbonara. She believes that the settlement was established, though was probably short-lived, and a church built in the name of the order, the modern name of the town being a surviving relic. If true, Carbonear would not only have been the first Christian settlement of any kind in North America, but would have been home to the oldest, and only, medieval church built in North America. Evan Jones of the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
is currently carrying out further investigations of Dr Ruddock's claims.
At any rate, by the time the British began permanent colonization of the island in the early 17th century, the name Carbonear was already being used by the seasonal fishermen familiar with the area. Most of the area's land had been granted to Sir Percival Willoughby
Percival Willoughby
Sir Percival Willoughby was a prominent land owner, businessman involved during his lifetime variously in mining, iron smelting, glass making and as an investor in the Newfoundland Company. He married Bridget Willoughby, evidently his third cousin, the daughter of Sir Francis Willoughby builder...
, and one of Carbonear's first residents was Nicholas Guy
Nicholas Guy
Nicholas Guy was one of the first settlers at the London and Bristol Company's Cuper's Cove, colony in Newfoundland, and was the father of the first English child born in Newfoundland and subsequently all of the country of Canada....
, co-founder of the first British colony in Canada at Cuper's Cove (now Cupids), founder of the Bristol's Hope Colony (now Harbour Grace), and father of the first English child born in Canada. He moved there from the other colonies by no later 1631 to fish and farm the land with his family in an agreement with Willoughby, and the Guy family remained the predominant planter family in Carbonear throughout the 17th century.
At about this time legend tells of an Irish princess of the O'Conner family, Sheila NaGeira
Sheila NaGeira
The legend of Sheila NaGeira, the Irish Princess, claims that she was the first European woman to give birth in Newfoundland and quite possibly North America. This is based on the mistaken idea that there is no evidence of Vikings giving birth at their settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows...
, who settled in Carbonear after being rescued by the privateer Peter Easton
Peter Easton
Peter Easton was a pirate in the early 17th century who operated along the Newfoundland coastline between Harbour Grace and Ferryland from 1611 to 1614...
and marrying his first officer Gilbert Pike. Much is known about Easton and his exploits, but hard evidence of NaGeira has yet to be found. That has not stopped the legend's story of romance, pirates, and New World adventure from inspiring much research and numerous works of fiction on the topic.
By the late 17th century, unlike many settlements in Newfoundland from this period where men outnumbered the women by a ratio of ten to one, Carbonear was a true community with many women and children helping to grow the town's prosperity. Unfortunately, this prosperity also made it a target for England's enemies, and when war broke out with France it came under the attack of the French captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] (16 July 1661 – 9 July 1702 (probable)was a soldier, ship captain, explorer, colonial administrator, knight of...
during the Avalon Peninsula Campaign
Avalon Peninsula Campaign
The Avalon Peninsula Campaign occurred during King Williams War when forces of New France, led by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, destroyed 23 English settlements along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland in the span of three months...
. The citizens survived by retreating to the fortified Carbonear Island
Carbonear Island
thumb|Map of Fortification in 1750Carbonear Island is a small uninhabited island on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada. It is located at the mouth of Carbonear harbour...
, but the town, documented by the French as being "very well-established" containing properties that were "the best-built in all of Newfoundland", was burned to the ground. During four months of raids Iberville was responsible for the destruction of thirty-six Newfoundland settlements and by the end of March 1697, only Bonavista
Bonavista
-Geography:*Cape Bonavista, a headland in Newfoundland, Canada*Bonavista Peninsula, a peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, Canada*Bonavista Bay, a bay of the island of Newfoundland, Canada-Places:...
and Carbonear Island remained in English hands.
Over the next hundred years Carbonear was attacked and burned two more times by the French in their attempts to control Newfoundland, and then later again by American privateers. The residents continued to improve the fortifications using their own money and although the town was repeatedly burned, Carbonear Island protected its residents and the town grew into one of the most important settlements in Newfoundland in this period. When Judiciary districts were set up to govern the island in 1729 by Commodore Governor Henry Osborn, Carbonear was recognized and was chosen as one of the six initial districts. With new French threats, the British finally erected a fort and garrison on the Island in 1743, but this eventually fell to the French who burned the buildings and tossed the cannons over the cliffs in 1762 where they still lay. Excavations began in 2010 to learn more about the Island's role in colonial North America, and the first summer's work has uncovered approximately 1300 artifacts. The Carbonear Heritage Society is developing a interpretive museum exhibit for these and future finds.
With the rise of the seal hunt and the Labrador cod fishery, Carbonear became a major commercial centre in the 19th century. More sea captains were produced in Carbonear for the foreign fishing trade than from any other Newfoundland outport
Newfoundland outport
An outport is the term given for a small isolated coastal community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Originally the term was just used for coastal communities on the island of Newfoundland but the term has also been adopted for those on the mainland area of Labrador as...
in this era. Violent political riots here in the early and mid-19th century led to the dissolution of the Newfoundland Legislature in 1841 and the suspension of the constitution. In fact, political riots were so common here during this period, especially during elections, the term Carbonearism arose to describe the behaviour. Rail service began in 1898 (with a 1st class ticket to St. John's costing $2) and expanded with a new rail station in 1917 operating until the closure of the rail line in 1984.
In the late 20th century the economy was forced to diversify. The seal hunt and the Labrador fishery had almost disappeared, as did Carbonear's importance as a shipbuilding centre, and therefore its value as an international port of trade. Fish processing continued to be the primary industry until the collapse of the cod fishery
Collapse of the Northern Cod Fishery
In 1992 the Canadian government declared a moratorium on the Northern Cod fishery that, for the past 500 years, had largely shaped the lives and communities of Canada’s eastern coast...
in the early 1990s. The fish processing plant has been converted to process crab and most recently seal. To counter the collapsing economy, Carbonear is evolving. With two college campuses, a shopping centre, a major hospital, and three long-term care facilities the town has energized its importance as a regional retail, service, transportation, government, and cultural centre, earning it the nickname "Hub of the Bay".
Education
- Davis Elementary - Kindergarten to grade 5
- Carbonear Collegiate - Grades 10,11, and 12
- College of the North Atlantic - Post-secondary
- Keyin College - Post-secondary
There is currently a new K-8 school under construction.
Sports and community life
- Carbonear swimming pool
- Carbonear Recreation Complex - includes 4 tennis courts, 2 baseball diamonds, Track and field, Soccer, and basketball court.
- six community playgrounds
- community boardwalk and walking trails
- Public Library
- Carbonear Cinemas
- Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre
- The TC square, the regions shopping mall
Festivals/Events
- KiwanisKiwanisKiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
Music Festival - Conception Bay Folk Festival
- Carbonear Day Parade - Aug 1
- Christmas Winter Lights and Santa Claus Parade - December
- Rememberence Day Parade - Nov 11
Tourism
- Carbonear Walking Tours - Historical walking tours leaving from the Railway Museum
- Island Charter Tours - Boat tours of Carbonear Island; scuba
- Rorke Store Museum
- Railway Museum
- Old Post Office & Heritage Society
- Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre
- Earle's Riding Horses
Timeline
- 1630s - 1640s - Mary Weymouth is listed as running a plantationPlantationA plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
in Carbonear. - 1631 - Nicholas GuyNicholas GuyNicholas Guy was one of the first settlers at the London and Bristol Company's Cuper's Cove, colony in Newfoundland, and was the father of the first English child born in Newfoundland and subsequently all of the country of Canada....
, formerly of CupidsCuper's Cove, Newfoundland and LabradorCuper's Cove, on the southwest shore of Conception Bay on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula was an early English settlement in the New World, and the second one after the Jamestown Settlement to endure for longer than a year...
, is settled at Carbonear with his family. - 1675 - Census records 11 permanent residents, 16 children, 8 boats, and 30 servants living year round in Carbonear.
- 1679 – William Downing and Thomas Oxford propose to fortify "Carboniere" on behalf of the residents.
- 1697 – The settlement consisting of 22 houses is destroyed by the French. The French report that the houses are "the best built in all Newfoundland". Carbonear IslandCarbonear Islandthumb|Map of Fortification in 1750Carbonear Island is a small uninhabited island on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada. It is located at the mouth of Carbonear harbour...
defends itself from the attack. - 1705 – Once again the French burned the town. Residents again defends themselves from the attack on Carbonear Island.
- 1729 - Carbonear is designated one of the six Judiciary districts in Newfoundland. Two of the first Justices of the Peace, William Pinn and Charles Garland are assigned to the district.
- 1743 - British build a fort on Carbonear Island and garrison it with troops.
- 1755 - Roman Catholics convicted for saying the Mass and having confession. Magistrates ordered to suppress RC services and to exile priests.
- 1762 - Successful invasion of Carbonear Island by the French. Fort burned.
- 1767 – The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel establish a church at Carbonear.
- 1775 – Carbonear attacked by American privateers.
- 1788 – The first Methodist church in Carbonear is erected. The largest of its denomination in Newfoundland.
- 1812 - Cannon erected on Harbour Rock Hill to protect against American attacks.
- 1816 - Stores looted by mobs
- 1826 – Newfoundland School Society is established in Carbonear and has 100 students.
- 1826 - First Catholic church built and dedicated to St. Patrick. A Catholic parish had existed since 1784.
- 1832 - Sealers' strikes and riots.
- 1835 - Newspaper journalist Henry Winton attacked on Saddle Hill and had his ears cut off over religious comments.
- 1836 - Gut Bridge built linking Carbonear's North and South sides.
- 1840 - Political riots lead to the dissolution of the Legislature and the suspension of the constitution.
- 1841 - Volunteer Fire Department established.
- 1852 - Telegraph line to St. John's becomes operational.
- 1859 - Fire destroys much of Carbonear.
- 1861 - One man killed in riots.
- 1862 – Hungry mobs dressed as mummers loot the streets in what is known as The Winter of the Rals or The Mummers' Riot. Troops from the St John’s garrison are sent to restore order.
- 1864 - St. James' Anglican Church completed
- 1866 – The Grammar School established in 1838 is closed and students are divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant boards equally.
- 1870 - Rorke Stores built on Water Street and quickly become the unofficial commercial centre of the town.
- 1891 - St. Patrick's Catholic church completed. Previous chapel converted to a convent.
- 1898 - Rail line to Carbonear completed with twice-daily service.
- 1905 - New Post Office built on Water St to replace one destroyed by fire the previous year. Monument erected to heroine Tryphoena Nicholl, postmistress who sacrificed her life in the fire to save people trapped inside the burning building.
- 1917 - Train station expanded due to increased traffic and rail line extension to Bay de Verde.
- 1932 - 100 policemen brought by train to restore order in Carbonear due to riots.
- 1948 - Incorporated into a town with elected government.
- 1948 - Bond Street Theatre opens showing The Razor's EdgeThe Razor's Edge (1946 film)The Razor's Edge is the first film version of W. Somerset Maugham's 1944 novel. It was released in 1946 and stars Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, John Payne, Anne Baxter, Clifton Webb, Herbert Marshall, supporting cast Lucile Watson, Frank Latimore and Elsa Lanchester. Marshall plays Somerset Maugham....
. Built partially from materials recovered from a German POW camp in nearby Victoria Village. - 1957 - Larger modern post office building opens.
- 1976 – Official opening of the new Regional Hospital takes place and the old hospital is made into a nursing home for the elderly patients who are bed-ridden.
- 1978 – TriCon shopping mall is opened.
- 1984 - End of rail service to Carbonear.
- 1998 - Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre opened
Notable people born/lived at Carbonear
- Duane AndrewsDuane AndrewsDuane Andrews is a virtuosic guitarist who melds traditional Newfoundland folk music with Manouche Gypsy Jazz similar to the way that Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt infused Jazz with Gypsy melody...
(musician) - Robert William BoyleRobert William BoyleRobert William Boyle was a Newfoundlander physicist and one the of most important early pioneers in the development of sonar....
(physicist/inventor of sonar) - Daniel ClearyDaniel ClearyDaniel Cleary is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. On June 4, 2008, Cleary became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to get his name on the Stanley Cup when the Red Wings won hockey's top prize...
(hockeyHockeyHockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
player) - Jenny GearJenny GearJenny Gear is a singer and former Canadian Idol contestant.-On Canadian Idol:Jenny Gear, of Carbonear, Newfoundland, auditioned for Season One of Canadian Idol in St...
(musician) - Philip Henry GossePhilip Henry GossePhilip Henry Gosse was an English naturalist and popularizer of natural science, virtually the inventor of the seawater aquarium, and a painstaking innovator in the study of marine biology...
(marine biologist) - Séan McCannSean McCannSean McCann may refer to:* Sean McCann , Lieutenant General and Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, succeeding Dermot Earley* Sean McCann , Canadian television actor...
(musician Great Big SeaGreat Big SeaGreat Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage...
) - Frank MooresFrank MooresFrank Duff Moores served as the 2nd Premier of Newfoundland. He served as leader of the Progressive Conservatives from 1972 until his retirement in 1979.-Early life:...
(Newfoundland Premier) - Rex MurphyRex MurphyRex Murphy is a Canadian commentator and author, primarily on Canadian political and social matters.Murphy was born in Carbonear, Newfoundland, 105 kilometres west of St. John's and is the second of five children of Harry and Marie Murphy...
(noted commentator) - Princess Sheila NaGeiraSheila NaGeiraThe legend of Sheila NaGeira, the Irish Princess, claims that she was the first European woman to give birth in Newfoundland and quite possibly North America. This is based on the mistaken idea that there is no evidence of Vikings giving birth at their settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows...
- Gerry ReidGerry ReidGerry Reid was the Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. He initially served as interim leader from 2005 to 2006, until Jim Bennett replaced him in February 2006...
(politician)