Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove (47°27′56"N 52°42′41"W NST
) is a picturesque town of approximately 950 people located on the eastern shore of the Avalon Peninsula
in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
. It is nestled deep in the heart of Motion Bay, just south (approximately 15 minutes away) of St. John's
. The present town is approximately 200 years old, though the site has been continuously occupied since at least 1598, predating the arrival of the Mayflower
and making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. During King William's War
, the village was raided by Canadiens in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign
.
It is the site of the first hydroelectric generating station (Petty Harbour Generating Station
) in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Traditionally, Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove was a thriving fishing village. However, in 1992 the Canadian government declared a moratorium on cod fishing in Newfoundland, which greatly hurt rural communities, including Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove.
Since the moratorium, Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove has become more reliant on the tourism industry. Many tourists visit Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove for its beautiful scenery, icebergs, whales and hiking trails.
It has also become a popular location for television series and films. Some features have included "Hatching, Matching and Dispatching
" ; Orca (film)
, A Whale for the Killing; Rare Birds
and John and the Mrs. Parts of The Terry Fox Story
were also filmed in Petty Harbour.
Petty Harbour is home to Alan Doyle
, lead singer of Great Big Sea
.
The Town of Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove was also the Tidy Towns population category winner for 2007. This award is based on natural beauty, community involvement, environmental awareness and Heritage preservation.
Newfoundland Standard Time Zone
Newfoundland Standard Time ' is a geographic region that keeps time by subtracting 3½ hours from Coordinated Universal Time , resulting in UTC−3:30, or 2½ hours during daylight saving time...
) is a picturesque town of approximately 950 people located on the eastern shore of the Avalon Peninsula
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 the province of 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...
. It is nestled deep in the heart of Motion Bay, just south (approximately 15 minutes away) of St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. The present town is approximately 200 years old, though the site has been continuously occupied since at least 1598, predating the arrival of the Mayflower
Mayflower
The Mayflower was the ship that transported the English Separatists, better known as the Pilgrims, from a site near the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, , in 1620...
and making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. During King William's War
King William's War
The first of the French and Indian Wars, King William's War was the name used in the English colonies in America to refer to the North American theater of the Nine Years' War...
, the village was raided by Canadiens in 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...
.
It is the site of the first hydroelectric generating station (Petty Harbour Generating Station
Petty Harbour Generating Station
The Petty Harbour Hydro Electric Generating Station which began construction in 1898 was the first hydroelectric generating station in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was built by the St. John's Street Railway Company, a company established by Robert Reid. Operation commenced on April 19, 1900.In...
) in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Traditionally, Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove was a thriving fishing village. However, in 1992 the Canadian government declared a moratorium on cod fishing in Newfoundland, which greatly hurt rural communities, including Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove.
Since the moratorium, Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove has become more reliant on the tourism industry. Many tourists visit Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove for its beautiful scenery, icebergs, whales and hiking trails.
It has also become a popular location for television series and films. Some features have included "Hatching, Matching and Dispatching
Hatching, Matching and Dispatching
Hatching, Matching and Dispatching was a Canadian television sitcom series. The CBC Television show starred Mary Walsh as Mamie Lou Furey, the matriarch of a family in Newfoundland and Labrador who own a combination ambulance, wedding and funeral business. The remaining cast included Shaun...
" ; Orca (film)
Orca (film)
Orca is a 1977 horror film directed by Michael Anderson and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, starring Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling, and Will Sampson. The film was poorly received by critics and audiences alike due in part to its similarities to the film Jaws released two years prior...
, A Whale for the Killing; Rare Birds
Rare Birds
Rare Birds is a 2001 Canadian comedy/drama film. It was directed by Sturla Gunnarsson and written by Edward Riche based on his novel. This movie features spectacular scenery from Cape Spear, Newfoundland, Canada. It also features music by the The Pogues and characteristic Canadian Maritime...
and John and the Mrs. Parts of The Terry Fox Story
The Terry Fox Story
The Terry Fox Story is a 1983 film biopic of Canadian amputee and runner Terry Fox. It was written by Howard Hume, John Kastner and Rose Kastner, and directed by Ralph L. Thomas. The film stars Eric Fryer as Fox, Chris Makepeace as his brother Darrell, and Robert Duvall as Fox's publicist, Bill...
were also filmed in Petty Harbour.
Petty Harbour is home to Alan Doyle
Alan Doyle
Alan Thomas Doyle is a Canadian musician and actor, best known for his work as one of the lead singers of Celtic band Great Big Sea.-Life and career:...
, lead singer of Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea
Great 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...
.
The Town of Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove was also the Tidy Towns population category winner for 2007. This award is based on natural beauty, community involvement, environmental awareness and Heritage preservation.