Twillingate
Twillingate
Toulinquet | ||
---|---|---|
Postal Code A0G 4M0 | ||
Area code | 709 | |
Highways | Route 340 | |
Website | http://www.townoftwillingate.ca |
Twillingate is a town of 2,121 people[2] located on the Twillingate Islands ("Toulinquet") in Notre Dame Bay, off the north eastern shore of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of Lewisporte and Gander.
Incorporated on September 30, 1965,
History
The earliest known people to inhabit the area were the Maritime Archaic, who occupied the area 3,500 years ago in roughly 1500 BC. The Maritime Archaic people were later supplanted by the Beothuk, and possibly the Dorset Inuit, who occupied the area until the arrival of European settlers.[3][6]
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 settlers were mostly made up of fishermen and their families from the West Country in England.[3][6] 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. It was a busy trade and service centre for Labrador and the northern shore fisheries for more than two centuries. One of the more prominent historical events that occurred in the history of Twillingate was the arrival of a local newspaper – the Twillingate Sun. The Sun served Twillingate and its local area 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.[7][8] Lewisporte based newspaper the Pilot then served the area until going defunct in 2018. 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,[9] followed shortly after by the collapse of the fishing industry, Twillingate has been forced to look to the tourist industry for income and has become a popular spot for visitors in the summer.[4]
Geography
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.
There are several very small fishing communities that can be found on Twillingate Island before reaching the main town, such as
The highest point in Twillingate can be reached via the "Top of Twillingate Walking Trail", which is located off Bayview Street.[10] 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.
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.[11] Twillingate is part of Iceberg Alley which stretches from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. Icebergs can be found most commonly in late May and early June.[12]
Climate
Twillingate has a cool to cold, wet and very snowy humid continental climate with vast seasonal differences.
Climate data for Twillingate | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −2 (28) |
−2 (28) |
0 (32) |
5 (41) |
11 (52) |
17 (63) |
22 (72) |
20 (68) |
16 (61) |
10 (50) |
5 (41) |
0 (32) |
9 (48) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −11 (12) |
−11 (12) |
−7 (19) |
−2 (28) |
2 (36) |
6 (43) |
11 (52) |
11 (52) |
6 (43) |
2 (36) |
−1 (30) |
−7 (19) |
0 (32) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 100 (3.9) |
92 (3.6) |
100 (3.9) |
88 (3.5) |
87 (3.4) |
82 (3.2) |
82 (3.2) |
105 (4.1) |
95 (3.7) |
109 (4.3) |
104 (4.1) |
102 (4.0) |
1,146 (45.1) |
Source: The Weather Network[13] |
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Twillingate had a population of 2,121 living in 1,007 of its 1,302 total private dwellings, a change of -3.4% from its 2016 population of 2,196. With a land area of 25.6 km2 (9.9 sq mi), it had a population density of 82.9/km2 (214.6/sq mi) in 2021.[14]
Data from the
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
Of the people living in Twillingate in 2006, 130 people were in a common-law relationship, 490 were single, 85 divorced, 235 were widowed, 40 separated and the majority, 1,300 were married.
In 2001, the majority of Twillingate residents - 2,405 of them - were
Economy
Today, Twillingate's economy revolves primarily around careers in construction, logging and the
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 Festival 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 whales that can be seen in the Atlantic Ocean.
Culture
Location | Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
---|---|
Coordinates | 49°39′20″N 54°46′37″W / 49.65554°N 54.776839°W |
Type | town museum |
Website | tmacs |
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, many residents had to find employment in other industries. The area is known for its rich culture.
Festivities and
In the past,
There are two museums in the area; the Twillingate Museum and the
The town has a minor hockey team, called the Twillingate/New World Island Combines. It is part of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 1990, the "Twillingate Fishery" was featured on season 26 of
On August 15, 2020, NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, announced Twillingate as the Kraft Hockeyville Canada Champion. As the winner, the George Hawkins Arena received a quarter of a million dollars in upgrades.[16]
Government and politics
The town hall for Twillingate is located on 25 Toulinquet Street. The current mayor of Twillingate is Justin Blackler. Twillingate has historically been Liberal. The only exception to this was in 1982, when the
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.[17] Previous members of the House of Assembly for the district include William G. Adams. In 2015, the district went Liberal following redistricting.[18] The current member of Parliament for the Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame riding is Clifford Small.[19]
Services
The town has two schools; Twillingate Island Elementary for kindergarten to Grade 6 and J.M. Olds Collegiate for Grade 7 to Grade 12. Both of the schools fall under the Newfoundland and Labrador English 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. Afterwards, due to budget measures, it was reduced to 46 beds.
Policing of the New World Island and Twillingate areas is 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
Notable people
Notable people with connections to Twillingate include:
- William Epps Cormack(1796–1868), 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.
- Blessed Virgin Maryand for the month in which she was kidnapped.
- Georgina Ann Stirling (1866/67–1935), 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 (1908–1997), captain of the MV Christmas Seal and recipient of the Order of Canada, was born in Durrell, Twillingate.
See also
- Bonavista—Twillingate
- Gander—Twillingate
- Lewisporte-Twillingate
- List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador
- List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
References
- ^ a b "Town of Twillingate Community History". Archived from the original on October 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
- ^ a b c "Census Profile, 2021 Census Twillingate, Town [Census subdivision], Newfoundland and Labrador". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c "New Rural Economy". www.concordia.ca. Retrieved Nov 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "Town of Twillingate". Retrieved 2008-04-20.
- ^ Brandy Yanchy (August 11, 2011). "World iceberg capital turns frozen blocks to cold, hard cash". BBC News. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "Twillingate - A Brief History". Historica Canadiana. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ NFGenWeb. "Twillingate Sun 1923". Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ Maritime History Archive - The Twillingate Sun
- ^ Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Government marks 10th Anniversary of the Northern Cod Moratorium". Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ Twillingate.net. "Twillingate.net - Outport Living - Trails - Top of Twillingate Trail". Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ The Star (2007-08-18). "Tales of Twillingate". Toronto. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ "IcebergFinder.com". icebergfinder.com. Retrieved Nov 27, 2022.
- ^ The Weather Network Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 18 July 2009
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Newfoundland and Labrador". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Twillingate - A Brief History". www.historica.ca. November 30, 2006. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
- ^ "Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador wins Hockeyville Canada". www.nhl.com. Retrieved Nov 27, 2022.
- ^ "Reid resigns leadership, vows Grit rebuilding". CBC News, November 13, 2007.
- ^ "Full list of winners in Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News, November 30, 2015.
- ^ Darrell Roberts, "Conservative Clifford Small wins Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame". CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador, September 25, 2021.
External links
Media related to Twillingate at Wikimedia Commons