Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Twillingate is a town of 2,448 people located on the Twillingate Islands
(Toulinquet
) in Notre Dame Bay
. It is located off the northeastern shore of the island of Newfoundland in the province
of Newfoundland and Labrador
. It was incorporated on September 30, 1965. The town is about 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) north of Lewisporte
and Gander
. The Town of Twillingate includes such localities as Back Harbour
, Bayview
, Durrell
, Gillard's Cove, Jenkins Cove, Manuel's Cove, and Wild Cove
.
Twillingate is found at the mouth of the Exploits River
where it flows into Notre Dame Bay. The islands provide an excellent sheltered harbour and easy access to the rich fishing grounds nearby. In recent years, a causeway named after Walter B. Elliot was built, which connects it to the mainland via New World Island
. Labeled as "The Iceberg Capital of the World", the town is one of the oldest port
s on the island. It was a historic fishing community, but because of the decline of the fishing industry, its economy now relies more on tourism.
The earliest known people to inhabit the area were the Maritime Archaic
, who occupied the area about 3,500 years ago in 1500 BC. The Maritime Archaic people were later supplanted by the Beothuk
, and possibly the Dorset
Eskimo
s, who occupied the area until the arrival of Europe
an settlers.
The French
had been fishing in the area, possibly as early as 1500, but the first European settlers did not arrive until the 17th century. The European settlers were mostly fishermen
and their families from the West Country
in England
. The native Beothuk managed to survive until the early 19th century in small numbers near Twillingate and the mouth of the Exploits River
.
As the population grew, Twillingate became an important fishing community, and was later known as the Capital of the North. It was a busy trade and service centre for Labrador
and the northern shore fisheries
for more than two centuries. One of the most prominent historical events that happened in the history of Twillingate was the arrival of a local newspaper – the Twillingate Sun. The Twillingate Sun served the Twillingate district from the 1880s until the 1950s. The Sun was a robust and professional newspaper that not only covered local and provincial news, but also international news as well. Today, the Pilot, a newspaper published in Lewisporte, serves the area with its "Island's Connection" segment. Since the Fisheries and Oceans Canada
moratorium on fishing northern cod
(see Endangered Species Controversies in Canada and Europe) was announced on July 2, 1992, followed shortly after by the collapse of the fishing industry
, Twillingate has been forced to look to the tourist industry
for income and is becoming a popular spot for visitors in the summer. It is now promoted as the Iceberg Capital of the World.
Twillingate is easily accessed by Route 340
from Lewisporte if approaching from western Newfoundland or by Route 330
from Gander if approaching from eastern Newfoundland. The town of Twillingate is approximately 1.5 hours from Gander and about an hour from Lewisporte. Somebody driving north on Route 340
from Lewisporte or Gander to Twillingate will pass through many other small fishing communities, including Boyd's Cove
, Summerford
, Virgin Arm and Newville
.
There are several very small fishing communities that can be found on Twillingate Island before reaching the main town. The first community is Black Duck Cove
and after that, a person will pass by Purcell's Harbour
and Little Harbour
. The western portion of the island, a series of communities now amalgamated into Bayview is accessible via Rink Road, which becomes Bayview Street shortly after it starts, in the town or by a gravel road before entering the town. These communities, in order from the Route 340-gravel road entry are Kettle Cove, Manuel's Cove, Gillard's Cove, Bluff Head Cove, Davis Cove and Ragged Point. The town of Twillingate is about 5 km (3.1 mi) from the Twillingate-New World Island
causeway. When in the town, access to the northern island is provided by "Tickle Bridge" and the communities on the southern island can be accessed via the town's main road.
Route 340
runs through Twillingate as Toulinguet Street and Main Street. After turning left at the town's main intersection (Toulinguet and Main), Route 340 runs through northern portion of the town and continues through the surrounding communities on the northern island, Back Harbour, Paradise and Wild Cove, then after a 0.5 km stretch enters the town of Crow Head
and continues to the Long Point Lighthouse
. If one turns right at the main intersection, that portion of Main Street (which isn't part of Route 340) will take them through the town on the southern island, then into Durrell, ending near French Beach in Lower Jenkins' Cove.
The terrain is mildly to moderately hilly even though there are no mountains near the Twillingate area. The highest point in Twillingate can be reached by the "Top of Twillingate Walking Trail", which is located off Bayview Street. Elevation varies significantly throughout the town. The main southern and northern sides of the town in addition to the neighbourhoods of Wild Cove, Back Harbour, Hart's Cove, and portions of Bayview and Durrell are near sea level. Other parts of Durrell, Bayview and the central area of the town are situated on more elevated land. Forests can be literally be found everywhere around town.
The region is known for its scenic, rugged coastline and its quiet and friendly atmosphere. Icebergs can be seen around the coastline in the summer months.
2006 census
show that there were 2,448 residents living in Twillingate in 2006; a change of -6.2% from 2,611 in 2001. There were a total of 1,161 private dwellings. The town's land area is 25.74 square kilometres (9.9 sq mi) and has a population density of 95.1 PD/sqkm.
As of the year 2006, there are 1,190 male residents and 1,255 female residents in Twillingate, with the median age of male residents at 46.6 and the median age of female residents at 48.8. The median age of the town's population is getting older, from 38.9 at the 1996 census
to 43.8 in the 2001 census
and to 48.0 in 2006, compared to the province as a whole at 41.7. This aging trend can be seen across age levels with those under 55 dropping from 2,175 people in 1996 to 1,785 in 2001 and 1,520 in 2006. At the same time those 65 and older increased from 780 people in 1996 to 825 in 2001 and 920 in 2006.
Of the people living in Twillingate in 2006, 130 people were in a common-law relationship
, 490 were single, 85 divorce
d, 235 were widow
ed, 40 separated
and the majority, 1,300 were married
.
In 2001, the majority of Twillingate residents - 2,405 of them - were Protestant
, 60 were Catholic
religion, 55 were Christian
(unspecified) and 50 residents had no religious affiliation.
Today, Twillingate's economy revolves primarily around careers in construction, logging and the tertiary sector, which involves providing services to the community. Because of the cod moratorium in 1992, fishing is not practiced as much in the area, though some fishermen still catch crab
, lobster
and other aquatic species. The seal hunt
is practiced in Twillingate.
Tourism throughout the summer months is also a big part of the economy in the Twillingate area. The town is known as the "Iceberg Capital of the World" because of the scenery and icebergs that are seen in the spring months. The Fish, Fun and Folk draws many tourists from across the world to the town each year and showcases local talent while economically helping the town and its people. The Long Point Lighthouse
, found near Crow Head, is a popular tourist attraction, as are the Humpback Whale
s that can be seen in the Atlantic Ocean
.
Twillingate residents value the area's culture and traditions. Historically, Twillingate was a prominent fishing community, but due to the decline of the fishery industry, the residents had to find employment in other industries. The area is known for its rich culture.
Festivities and folk music
are a big part of Twillingate culture. The Fish, Fun and Folk Festival is held annually at the end of July. The festival features local talent, dances, and entertainment from Newfoundland on Thursday and Friday nights. A parade, performances from the Split Peas, and a fireworks
display are held towards the end of the festival. The festival draws in many tourists from around North America
and around the world and exposes them to the culture of Twillingate. Songs like "I's the B'y
", with the chorus "Fogo
, Twillingate, Moreton's Harbour
, all around the circle", and "Lukey's Boat
", are traditional Newfoundland songs
of the region that are still sung today at cultural events.
In the past, mummering was done in Twillingate around Christmas
, however, today, it is no longer practiced. A screech-in is performed annually at the Fish, Fun and Folk Festival and is also done privately elsewhere. Tourists from outside Newfoundland and Labrador are classified "Honorary Newfoundlanders" after completing a ritual that involves kissing a fish, drinking a shot of Screech
and repeating lines said by the host.
There are two museums in the area; the Twillingate Museum
and the Durrell Museum
located in nearby Durrell. The Twillingate Museum has a collection of Maritime Archaic artifacts that were collected from Back Harbour
in 1967. The town has a minor hockey
team, called the Twillingate/New World Island Minor Hockey Association. It is part of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador
. In 1990, the "Twillingate Fishery" was featured on season 26 of Land and Sea
, a documentary series produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
(CBNT
) of St. John's
.
. The current mayor of Twillingate is Gordon Noseworthy. Twillingate has historically been liberal, with the Liberal Party winning every election. The only exception to this was in 1982, when the Progressive Conservative Party won the majority of votes in the district. In 1996, Gerry Reid
won an election in the Twillingate-Fogo district by 2,196 votes and in 1999, he won by 1,877 votes. In 2003, he defeated Progressive Conservative candidate Derrick Dalley
, who was born in Twillingate, by 607 votes.
In 2007, the district voted conservative for the second time in the history of Twillingate and Derrick Dalley became the MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame electoral district. Previous members of the House of Assembly
for the district include William G. Adams
. The current member of Parliament for the Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor
district is Scott Simms
.
The town has two schools; Twillingate Elementary for kindergarten
to Grade 6
and J.M. Olds Collegiate
for Grade 7
to Grade 12
. Both of the schools fall under the Nova Central School District
.
Medical services are provided by the small Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Care Centre. Originally opened in 1924, it was later expanded. After its expansion, it was partially destroyed by fire. In 1976, the original 49 bed hospital was torn down and replaced by a 69 bed facility. Afterwords, due to budget measures, it was reduced to 46 beds.
Policing of the New World Island and Twillingate areas are provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Division B.
Twillingate has its own Fire Department, made possible by volunteers. The fire department is located in the Town Hall building, at the corner of Main Street and Blandford's Lane on the south side.
Telephone services were first supplied by Twillingate Telephone and Electric. It was later purchased, in 1951, by Canadian National Telecommunications. This company later formed Terra Nova Tel
. In 1988, Terra Noval Tel was purchased by NewTel Communications
, which was a holding company of NewTel Enterprises
. In 1999, NewTel Enterprises merged with other companies. Today, telephone service is provided by Aliant
. Aliant also provides DSL internet service to the community.
EastLink
, formerly operating as Persona Communications, provides both high speed internet
and cable television
to the community, as well as the cable-only House of Assembly Channel
. The town receives CJON-TV
, known as "NTV". NTV is rebroadcast as CJCN-TV from Norris Arm
, as well as CBNT
(CBC), which is rebroadcast as CBNAT from Grand Falls-Windsor
.
Notable people with connections to Twillingate include William Cormack
, who set up the Beothuck Institution (now the Beothuk Institute) while in the town in 1827; John Day, a local policeman who, in 1825, was the first non-native settler at what is now Carmanville
. Demasduwit
, one of the last known Beothucks on the island of Newfoundland was held at Twillingate and lived with the priest of the Church of England, Reverend John Leigh. She was also called Shendoreth and Waunathoake, but he renamed her Mary March, after the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the month in which she was kidnapped in. She died on January 8, 1820. Georgina Stirling
was an opera singer who was born in Twillingate. She went by the stage name of Marie Toulinquet and became a world-renowned Prima donna
soprano
that played in opera houses throughout Europe
and the United States
. She was Newfoundland's first opera singer and later became known as the Nightingale of the North. Peter Troake
, captain of the MV Christmas Seal and recipient of the Order of Canada
, was born in Durrell
, Twillingate.
Twillingate Islands
Twillingate Islands are a group of islands in Notre Dame Bay of the Island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
(Toulinquet
Toulinquet
Toulinquet or Toulinguet may refer to:*Twillingate Islands, the French language name*Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, the main town on the island...
) in Notre Dame Bay
Notre Dame Bay
Notre Dame Bay is a large bay in Newfoundland, Canada. To the south it adjoins the Bay of Exploits.The name, French for Our Lady Bay, dates to at least 1550, and is possibly a French translation of an earlier Portuguese name....
. It is located off the northeastern shore of the island of Newfoundland in the province
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
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 was incorporated on September 30, 1965. The town is about 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) north of Lewisporte
Lewisporte, Newfoundland and Labrador
Lewisporte is a town in central Newfoundland Island, Canada, with a population of 3,312. It is situated in a bay close to the mouth of the Exploits River. Lewisporte has an excellent port and related facilities that serve the many communities along Notre Dame Bay. Gander and its international...
and Gander
Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
Gander is a Canadian town located in the northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately south of Gander Bay, south of Twillingate and east of Grand Falls-Windsor...
. The Town of Twillingate includes such localities as Back Harbour
Back Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Back Harbour is a Canadian community located on the northern island of Twillingate in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is part of the Town of Twillingate.It was a farming and fishing village that had two stores and two schoolhouses in 1911...
, Bayview
Bayview, Newfoundland and Labrador
Bayview is a collaboration of small fishing communities along the southern island of Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador. The communities within Bayview were formerly called Bluff Head Cove, Gillard's Cove, Manuel's Cove and Ragged Point...
, Durrell
Durrell, Newfoundland and Labrador
Durrell is a community on the southern island of Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is located off Route 340, named Durrell Street. It is a part of the Town of Twillingate....
, Gillard's Cove, Jenkins Cove, Manuel's Cove, and Wild Cove
Wild Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Wild Cove is an epic small community on the north island of Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador. South of Wild Cove is Twillingate and north is Crow Head and the famous Long Point Lighthouse. Wild Cove is part of the Town of Twillingate....
.
Twillingate is found at the mouth of the Exploits River
Exploits River
The Exploits River is a Canadian river in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It flows through the Exploits Valley in the central part of the island of Newfoundland....
where it flows into Notre Dame Bay. The islands provide an excellent sheltered harbour and easy access to the rich fishing grounds nearby. In recent years, a causeway named after Walter B. Elliot was built, which connects it to the mainland via New World Island
New World Island
New World Island is an island in Notre Dame Bay, just off the coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.The island is connected to Newfoundland by a causeway. The prominent communities on the island are Summerford, Virgin Arm, Hillgrade, Newville, Cobb's Arm and...
. Labeled as "The Iceberg Capital of the World", the town is one of the oldest port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
s on the island. It was a historic fishing community, but because of the decline of the fishing industry, its economy now relies more on tourism.
History
Maritime Archaic
The Maritime Archaic is a North American cultural complex of the Late Archaic along the coast of Newfoundland, the Canadian Martimes and northern New England. The Maritime Archaic began in approximately 7000 BC and lasted into the 18th century. The culture consisted of sea-mammal hunters in the...
, who occupied the area about 3,500 years ago in 1500 BC. The Maritime Archaic people were later supplanted by the Beothuk
Beothuk
The Beothuk were one of the aboriginal peoples in Canada. They lived on the island of Newfoundland at the time of European contact in the 15th and 16th centuries...
, and possibly the Dorset
Dorset culture
The Dorset culture was a Paleo-Eskimo culture that preceded the Inuit culture in Arctic North America. It has been defined as having four phases, with distinct technology related to the people's hunting and tool making...
Eskimo
Eskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
s, who occupied the area until the arrival of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an settlers.
The French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
had been fishing in the area, possibly as early as 1500, but the first European settlers did not arrive until the 17th century. The European settlers were mostly fishermen
Fisherman
A fisherman or fisher is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish. Worldwide, there are about 38 million commercial and subsistence fishermen and fish farmers. The term can also be applied to recreational fishermen and may be used to describe both men...
and their families from the West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The native Beothuk managed to survive until the early 19th century in small numbers near Twillingate and the mouth of the Exploits River
Exploits River
The Exploits River is a Canadian river in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It flows through the Exploits Valley in the central part of the island of Newfoundland....
.
As the population grew, Twillingate became an important fishing community, and was later known as the Capital of the North. It was a busy trade and service centre for Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
and the northern shore fisheries
Fishery
Generally, a fishery is an entity engaged in raising or harvesting fish which is determined by some authority to be a fishery. According to the FAO, a fishery is typically defined in terms of the "people involved, species or type of fish, area of water or seabed, method of fishing, class of boats,...
for more than two centuries. One of the most prominent historical events that happened in the history of Twillingate was the arrival of a local newspaper – the Twillingate Sun. The Twillingate Sun served the Twillingate district from the 1880s until the 1950s. The Sun was a robust and professional newspaper that not only covered local and provincial news, but also international news as well. Today, the Pilot, a newspaper published in Lewisporte, serves the area with its "Island's Connection" segment. Since the Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, frequently referred to as DFO , is the department within the government of Canada that is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters...
moratorium on fishing northern cod
Atlantic cod
The Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, is a well-known demersal food fish belonging to the family Gadidae. It is also commercially known as cod, codling or haberdine....
(see Endangered Species Controversies in Canada and Europe) was announced on July 2, 1992, followed shortly after by the collapse of the fishing industry
Fishing industry
The fishing industry includes any industry or activity concerned with taking, culturing, processing, preserving, storing, transporting, marketing or selling fish or fish products....
, Twillingate has been forced to look to the tourist industry
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
for income and is becoming a popular spot for visitors in the summer. It is now promoted as the Iceberg Capital of the World.
Geography
Newfoundland and Labrador Route 340
Route 340 is a road in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador that runs from Notre Dame Junction to Long Point Lighthouse, passing through the towns of Lewisporte, Summerford, Twillingate, and other smaller communities.The highway has a length of 106 kilometres and a speed limit...
from Lewisporte if approaching from western Newfoundland or by Route 330
Newfoundland and Labrador Route 330
Newfoundland and Labrador Route 330, also known as Road to the Shore or more commonly Gander Bay Road is a highway that extends from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador across "the loop" passing through towns such as Gander Bay, Carmanville, Musgrave Harbour, and Lumsden to New-Wes-Valley.- See...
from Gander if approaching from eastern Newfoundland. The town of Twillingate is approximately 1.5 hours from Gander and about an hour from Lewisporte. Somebody driving north on Route 340
Newfoundland and Labrador Route 340
Route 340 is a road in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador that runs from Notre Dame Junction to Long Point Lighthouse, passing through the towns of Lewisporte, Summerford, Twillingate, and other smaller communities.The highway has a length of 106 kilometres and a speed limit...
from Lewisporte or Gander to Twillingate will pass through many other small fishing communities, including Boyd's Cove
Boyd's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Boyd's Cove, also known as Boyd's Harbour, is a small rural fishing, lumbering and farming town near Lewisporte in Newfoundland, Canada....
, Summerford
Summerford, Newfoundland and Labrador
Summerford is a small town on the central coast of Newfoundland in Canada. It is located just off Provincial Route 340, Road to the Isles.The Town of Summerford lies in New World Island, in Notre Dame Bay Newfoundland, Canada and had a population of 976 in the Canada 2006 Census...
, Virgin Arm and Newville
Newville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newville is a small coastal community on New World Island in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Route 340 in Newfoundland runs through the community. There are no schools or stores within Newville, just a Tourist Information Center that serves the islands of Twillingate and New World Island....
.
There are several very small fishing communities that can be found on Twillingate Island before reaching the main town. The first community is Black Duck Cove
Black Duck Cove, South Twillingate Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Black Duck Cove is a community located south of Twillingate. Located on the southern island of Twillingate, few people reside in Black Duck Cove....
and after that, a person will pass by Purcell's Harbour
Purcell's Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Purcell's Harbour is a small fishing community on the southern Twillingate island, about 4 km outside the town of Twillingate, near the community of Little Harbour. The community has a small natural harbour which opens up into Main Tickle...
and Little Harbour
Little Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Little Harbour is a drive-through community of 13 families on the southern Twillingate island, approximately 3 km south of Twillingate on Route 340...
. The western portion of the island, a series of communities now amalgamated into Bayview is accessible via Rink Road, which becomes Bayview Street shortly after it starts, in the town or by a gravel road before entering the town. These communities, in order from the Route 340-gravel road entry are Kettle Cove, Manuel's Cove, Gillard's Cove, Bluff Head Cove, Davis Cove and Ragged Point. The town of Twillingate is about 5 km (3.1 mi) from the Twillingate-New World Island
New World Island
New World Island is an island in Notre Dame Bay, just off the coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.The island is connected to Newfoundland by a causeway. The prominent communities on the island are Summerford, Virgin Arm, Hillgrade, Newville, Cobb's Arm and...
causeway. When in the town, access to the northern island is provided by "Tickle Bridge" and the communities on the southern island can be accessed via the town's main road.
Route 340
Newfoundland and Labrador Route 340
Route 340 is a road in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador that runs from Notre Dame Junction to Long Point Lighthouse, passing through the towns of Lewisporte, Summerford, Twillingate, and other smaller communities.The highway has a length of 106 kilometres and a speed limit...
runs through Twillingate as Toulinguet Street and Main Street. After turning left at the town's main intersection (Toulinguet and Main), Route 340 runs through northern portion of the town and continues through the surrounding communities on the northern island, Back Harbour, Paradise and Wild Cove, then after a 0.5 km stretch enters the town of Crow Head
Crow Head, Newfoundland and Labrador
Crow Head is a small town located on the north island of Twillingate in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is home to the Long Point Lighthouse and Twillingate Dinner Theatre. Its only land border is with the Town of Twillingate, to the southeast....
and continues to the Long Point Lighthouse
Long Point Lighthouse
Long Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located outside Crow Head on the northern Twillingate island off the northeast coast of Newfoundland. The lighthouse attracts thousands of tourists each year and is historic to the town of Twillingate....
. If one turns right at the main intersection, that portion of Main Street (which isn't part of Route 340) will take them through the town on the southern island, then into Durrell, ending near French Beach in Lower Jenkins' Cove.
The terrain is mildly to moderately hilly even though there are no mountains near the Twillingate area. The highest point in Twillingate can be reached by the "Top of Twillingate Walking Trail", which is located off Bayview Street. Elevation varies significantly throughout the town. The main southern and northern sides of the town in addition to the neighbourhoods of Wild Cove, Back Harbour, Hart's Cove, and portions of Bayview and Durrell are near sea level. Other parts of Durrell, Bayview and the central area of the town are situated on more elevated land. Forests can be literally be found everywhere around town.
The region is known for its scenic, rugged coastline and its quiet and friendly atmosphere. Icebergs can be seen around the coastline in the summer months.
Climate
Demographics
Data from the Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the Canadian federal government agency commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. Its headquarters is in Ottawa....
2006 census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
show that there were 2,448 residents living in Twillingate in 2006; a change of -6.2% from 2,611 in 2001. There were a total of 1,161 private dwellings. The town's land area is 25.74 square kilometres (9.9 sq mi) and has a population density of 95.1 PD/sqkm.
As of the year 2006, there are 1,190 male residents and 1,255 female residents in Twillingate, with the median age of male residents at 46.6 and the median age of female residents at 48.8. The median age of the town's population is getting older, from 38.9 at the 1996 census
Canada 1996 Census
The Canada 1996 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 14, 1996. On that day, Statistics Canada attempted to count every person in Canada. The total population count of Canada was 28,846,761...
to 43.8 in the 2001 census
Canada 2001 Census
The Canada 2001 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 15, 2001. On that day, Statistics Canada attempted to count every person in Canada. The total population count of Canada was 30,007,094. This was a 4% increase over 1996 Census of 28,846,761. In...
and to 48.0 in 2006, compared to the province as a whole at 41.7. This aging trend can be seen across age levels with those under 55 dropping from 2,175 people in 1996 to 1,785 in 2001 and 1,520 in 2006. At the same time those 65 and older increased from 780 people in 1996 to 825 in 2001 and 920 in 2006.
Of the people living in Twillingate in 2006, 130 people were in a common-law relationship
Common-law marriage
Common-law marriage, sometimes called sui juris marriage, informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute, is a form of interpersonal status that is legally recognized in limited jurisdictions as a marriage even though no legally recognized marriage ceremony is performed or civil marriage...
, 490 were single, 85 divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
d, 235 were widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
ed, 40 separated
Legal separation
Legal separation is a legal process by which a married couple may formalize a de facto separation while remaining legally married. A legal separation is granted in the form of a court order, which can be in the form of a legally binding consent decree...
and the majority, 1,300 were married
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
.
In 2001, the majority of Twillingate residents - 2,405 of them - were Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, 60 were Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
religion, 55 were Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
(unspecified) and 50 residents had no religious affiliation.
Economy
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
, lobster
Lobster
Clawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.Though several groups of crustaceans are known as lobsters, the clawed lobsters are most...
and other aquatic species. The seal hunt
Seal hunting
Seal hunting, or sealing, is the personal or commercial hunting of seals. The hunt is currently practiced in five countries: Canada, where most of the world's seal hunting takes place, Namibia, the Danish region of Greenland, Norway and Russia...
is practiced in Twillingate.
Tourism throughout the summer months is also a big part of the economy in the Twillingate area. The town is known as the "Iceberg Capital of the World" because of the scenery and icebergs that are seen in the spring months. The Fish, Fun and Folk draws many tourists from across the world to the town each year and showcases local talent while economically helping the town and its people. The Long Point Lighthouse
Long Point Lighthouse
Long Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located outside Crow Head on the northern Twillingate island off the northeast coast of Newfoundland. The lighthouse attracts thousands of tourists each year and is historic to the town of Twillingate....
, found near Crow Head, is a popular tourist attraction, as are the Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from and weigh approximately . The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the...
s that can be seen in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
Culture
Festivities and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
are a big part of Twillingate culture. The Fish, Fun and Folk Festival is held annually at the end of July. The festival features local talent, dances, and entertainment from Newfoundland on Thursday and Friday nights. A parade, performances from the Split Peas, and a fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
display are held towards the end of the festival. The festival draws in many tourists from around North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and around the world and exposes them to the culture of Twillingate. Songs like "I's the B'y
I's the B'y
"I's The B'y" is a traditional Newfoundland folk song/ballad. "I's the B'y" is in the Newfoundland English dialect, and translates to standard English as "I'm the Buddy"...
", with the chorus "Fogo
Fogo, Newfoundland and Labrador
Fogo is an outport town on Fogo Island, Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:The largest community on the island, the town may also be the location of the island's first permanent settlement, which took place in the early 18th century, though it is unknown...
, Twillingate, Moreton's Harbour
Moreton's Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Moreton's Harbour is a community located on New World Island in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The community, sometimes written as Morton's and occasionally as Morteon's, is referenced in the chorus of the folk song, I's the B'y, with the lines "Fogo, Twillingate, Moreton's Harbour, all around...
, all around the circle", and "Lukey's Boat
Lukey's Boat
"Lukey's Boat" is a comical folk song originating from the east coast of Newfoundland. Given its metre, it may have derived from a sea shanty.There are many minor variations of the song, depending on the singer; however it is essentially about the characteristics of the title boat, with the last...
", are traditional Newfoundland songs
Music of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is an Atlantic Canadian province with a folk musical heritage based on the Irish, English and Scottish traditions that were brought to its shores centuries ago...
of the region that are still sung today at cultural events.
In the past, mummering was done in Twillingate around Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, however, today, it is no longer practiced. A screech-in is performed annually at the Fish, Fun and Folk Festival and is also done privately elsewhere. Tourists from outside Newfoundland and Labrador are classified "Honorary Newfoundlanders" after completing a ritual that involves kissing a fish, drinking a shot of Screech
Newfoundland Screech
Newfoundland Screech is 40% alcohol rum sold in Newfoundland. Screech is an award winning rum that, through clever marketing, has a name that was once just a colloquial term to describe almost any cheap, high alcohol spirit, including moonshine...
and repeating lines said by the host.
There are two museums in the area; the Twillingate Museum
Twillingate Museum
Twillingate Museum is a museum located in the town of Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It features several exhibits showcasing the history of the town's people and culture. One of the exihibits includes several artifacts of the Maritime Archaic people that were found in nearby Back...
and the Durrell Museum
Durrell Museum
Durrell Museum is a museum located in the town of Durrell, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It features several historical exhibits. The museum is located on Museum Road, off Durrell Street in Durrell.- External links :*...
located in nearby Durrell. The Twillingate Museum has a collection of Maritime Archaic artifacts that were collected from Back Harbour
Back Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Back Harbour is a Canadian community located on the northern island of Twillingate in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is part of the Town of Twillingate.It was a farming and fishing village that had two stores and two schoolhouses in 1911...
in 1967. The town has a minor hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team, called the Twillingate/New World Island Minor Hockey Association. It is part of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador
Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador
Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador is the governing body of all ice hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Leagues:*Newfoundland Senior Hockey League*Central Newfoundland Hockey League*St...
. In 1990, the "Twillingate Fishery" was featured on season 26 of Land and Sea
Land and Sea
Land and Sea is a locally-produced Canadian documentary television show broadcast in Newfoundland and Labrador on CBNT in St. John's, and on all CBC Television outlets throughout the province...
, a documentary series produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
(CBNT
CBNT
CBNT-DT, channel 8, is a television station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It serves as the CBC Television station for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The station went on the air on October 1, 1964, as previous CBC...
) 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...
.
Government and politics
The town hall for Twillingate is located on Main Street South, in the same building as a volunteer fire departmentFire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
. The current mayor of Twillingate is Gordon Noseworthy. Twillingate has historically been liberal, with the Liberal Party winning every election. The only exception to this was in 1982, when the Progressive Conservative Party won the majority of votes in the district. In 1996, Gerry Reid
Gerry Reid
Gerry 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...
won an election in the Twillingate-Fogo district by 2,196 votes and in 1999, he won by 1,877 votes. In 2003, he defeated Progressive Conservative candidate Derrick Dalley
Derrick Dalley
Derrick Dalley is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He currently serves as the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in the cabinet of Kathy Dunderdale...
, who was born in Twillingate, by 607 votes.
In 2007, the district voted conservative for the second time in the history of Twillingate and Derrick Dalley became the MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame electoral district. Previous members of the House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
for the district include William G. Adams
William G. Adams
William G. Adams , born St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, was the ninth mayor of St. John's and a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly....
. The current member of Parliament for the Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor
Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor
Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004.-Demographics:...
district is Scott Simms
Scott Simms
Scott Simms is a Canadian politician. He is the Liberal Member of Parliament for the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor.-Early life:...
.
Services
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
to Grade 6
Sixth grade
Sixth grade is a year of education in the United States and some other nations. The sixth grade is the sixth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 11 – 12 years old...
and J.M. Olds Collegiate
J.M. Olds Collegiate
J.M. Olds Collegiate is a high school located in Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It currently has an enrollment of approximately 195 students and 12 teachers. It operates under the Nova Central School District, formerly the Lewisporte-Gander School District.-History:The school is...
for Grade 7
Seventh grade
Seventh grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The seventh grade is the seventh school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 12–13 years old. Traditionally, seventh grade was the next-to-last year of elementary school...
to Grade 12
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. Both of the schools fall under the Nova Central School District
Nova Central School District
Nova Central School District is a school district headquartered in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. The district has 75 schools located in 54 different communities. The largest school in the district is Gander Academy....
.
Medical services are provided by the small Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Care Centre. Originally opened in 1924, it was later expanded. After its expansion, it was partially destroyed by fire. In 1976, the original 49 bed hospital was torn down and replaced by a 69 bed facility. Afterwords, due to budget measures, it was reduced to 46 beds.
Policing of the New World Island and Twillingate areas are provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Division B.
Twillingate has its own Fire Department, made possible by volunteers. The fire department is located in the Town Hall building, at the corner of Main Street and Blandford's Lane on the south side.
Telephone services were first supplied by Twillingate Telephone and Electric. It was later purchased, in 1951, by Canadian National Telecommunications. This company later formed Terra Nova Tel
Terra Nova Tel
Terra Nova Tel was a telephone company providing service on the island of Newfoundland from 1949 to 1988. It was a subsidiary of Canadian National Railways through Canadian National Telecommunications....
. In 1988, Terra Noval Tel was purchased by NewTel Communications
NewTel Communications
NewTel Communications was a telephone, internet and cellular service provider in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Originally, as the Avalon Telephone Company, it served the Avalon Peninsula; it became the Newfoundland Telephone Company, also serving southwestern Newfoundland ,...
, which was a holding company of NewTel Enterprises
NewTel Enterprises
NewTel Enterprises was the holding company that owned NewTel Communications, a telephone service provider in Newfoundland and Labrador.-External links:*...
. In 1999, NewTel Enterprises merged with other companies. Today, telephone service is provided by Aliant
Aliant
Bell Aliant Inc. is a communications company providing services in various areas throughout eastern Canada, as Bell Aliant throughout Atlantic Canada, and under the NorthernTel, and Télébec brands in rural areas of Ontario and Quebec....
. Aliant also provides DSL internet service to the community.
EastLink
EastLink (company)
EastLink is a Canadian cable television and telecommunications company. In 1970, EastLink was established in Amherst, Nova Scotia, when it was issued one of the first cable licences granted by the CRTC...
, formerly operating as Persona Communications, provides both high speed internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
to the community, as well as the cable-only House of Assembly Channel
House of Assembly Channel (Newfoundland)
The House of Assembly Channel is a cable television channel broadcast throughout much of Newfoundland and Labrador, exclusively on cable. The channel first signed on the air on November 17, 2001.-Programming:...
. The town receives CJON-TV
CJON-TV
CJON-DT is a Canadian English language television station broadcasting on channel 21 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, with additional transmitters and cable coverage throughout the province. It is known on-air as NTV, for Newfoundland Television...
, known as "NTV". NTV is rebroadcast as CJCN-TV from Norris Arm
Norris Arm, Newfoundland and Labrador
Norris Arm is a town in north-central Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is in Division No. 6, on the Bay of Exploits.According to the 2006 Statistics Canada Census:*Population: 911*% Change : approx. 8.1%*Dwellings: 510...
, as well as CBNT
CBNT
CBNT-DT, channel 8, is a television station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It serves as the CBC Television station for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The station went on the air on October 1, 1964, as previous CBC...
(CBC), which is rebroadcast as CBNAT from Grand Falls-Windsor
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
Grand Falls-Windsor is a town of 13,558 people located in the central region of the island of Newfoundland in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is the largest in the central region, the fifth largest in the province, and is home to the annual Exploits Valley Salmon Festival...
.
Notable people
William Cormack
William Epps Cormack was a Scottish explorer, philanthropist, agriculturalist and author, born St. John’s, Newfoundland. Cormack was the first European to journey across the interior of the island....
, who set up the Beothuck Institution (now the Beothuk Institute) while in the town in 1827; John Day, a local policeman who, in 1825, was the first non-native settler at what is now Carmanville
Carmanville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Carmanville is a Canadian community in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:Carmanville, on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland, was first settled by John Day, from Twillingate, and his family. The Day family trapped otter and fox and became friends with a family of Aboriginals...
. Demasduwit
Demasduwit
Demasduit was a Beothuk woman, one of the last of her people on the island of Newfoundland, Canada.She was born near the end of the 18th century. The Beothuk were openly hostile to Europeans, and violent conflict between the two groups were common. The conflicts usually took more Beothuks than...
, one of the last known Beothucks on the island of Newfoundland was held at Twillingate and lived with the priest of the Church of England, Reverend John Leigh. She was also called Shendoreth and Waunathoake, but he renamed her Mary March, after the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the month in which she was kidnapped in. She died on January 8, 1820. Georgina Stirling
Georgina Stirling
Georgina Ann Stirling was a Newfoundland opera singer, known by her stage name Marie Toulinquet. Born in Twillingate, Newfoundland, she became a world-renowned Prima donna soprano who played in opera houses throughout Europe and United States...
was an opera singer who was born in Twillingate. She went by the stage name of Marie Toulinquet and became a world-renowned Prima donna
Prima donna
Originally used in opera or Commedia dell'arte companies, "prima donna" is Italian for "first lady." The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano...
soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
that played in opera houses throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She was Newfoundland's first opera singer and later became known as the Nightingale of the North. Peter Troake
Peter Troake
Peter Troake, CM was a mariner, born in Durrell, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada. Captain of the MV Christmas Seal and recipient of the Order of Canada for his work in the improvement of welfare in Newfoundland through his service to the province of Newfoundland.Troake served with the...
, captain of the MV Christmas Seal and recipient of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, was born in Durrell
Durrell, Newfoundland and Labrador
Durrell is a community on the southern island of Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is located off Route 340, named Durrell Street. It is a part of the Town of Twillingate....
, Twillingate.
See also
- Bonavista—TwillingateBonavista—TwillingateBonavista—Twillingate was a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1949 to 1968.This riding was created in 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation....
- Gander—TwillingateGander—TwillingateGander—Twillingate was a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1968 to 1988....
- List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador
- List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador