Community Profiles
Smith's Harbour
Trail: Dorset Trail HWY 410
Mayor: Scott Rowsell
Deputy Mayor: Roy Small
Councillors: Ariel Osmond
Address: RR#1, Burlington, A0K 1S0
Telephone: (709) 252-2227
Availability: Anytime
Introduction:
Smith's Harbour is located on the shores of a small harbour in the mouth of Green Bay, southeast of Burlington. It is located near excellent fishing grounds, particularly nearby King's Island, and is linked to Burlington by a short unpaved road of approximately 4 km.
Local History
Smith's Harbour was first settled in the mid 1800's. The first settlers were the Smith's, where the island got its name, John Smith Islands. Then there were the Hounsell's, who moved up from Stocking Harbour, a small settlement just off from Smith's Harbour. There were marks of the Indians when these people moved in. Then there were the Penney's, Kelly's, Clark's, and the Squires.
Everyone raised their own animals for meat, raised hens for eggs, caught birds to eat, and grew their own vegetables. The first religion was Church of England. Mr. Pittman would walk from Tilt Cove in snow shoes about ninety-two years ago to hold services in Levoy Shiner's House. Then a Methodist Church was built approximately seventy-five years ago. There was also a Pentecostal Church built about thirty-five years ago with Pastor Eric Goudie being the first preacher.
In the 1900's, school was carried on in Mr. Clark's house which was located on the southwest side of Smith's Harbour. From 1917 to 1942 school was carried on in the church with Mary Burry as the teacher, then there was a new one room school built by Mr. Billy Bartlett, a resident of Burlington and the teacher there for a while was Lillian Starkes. This school was also used for Christmas concerts and Times.
In 1965, the community first got electricity through diesel motor, but it is now changed so that it is received through NF and Labrador Power. In 1968 telephone services was also supplied.
There were two sawmills in Smith's Harbour in the 1930's, one owned by Mr. Thomas Squires and the other by Mr. Albert Lush, one sawmill was operated with a gas motor and the other was by steam.
Mr. Israel Hounsell was a boat builder; he built a number of boats. He also did some coopering (making barrels to pack fish and things in to be exported). There were a few men employed.
Fishing was one of the main industries; fish was caught and dried then shipped to Twillingate, until the later years, it was then shipped to Nipper's Harbour.
There were three stores in Smith's Harbour, where you could go and purchase nearly anything you wanted. The store owners would row to Twillingate in trap skiffs and bring back a load of supplies.
Mr. Albert Lush had a passenger boat to carry people to Twillingate when they needed medical attention. Babies were born at home by midwives, Annie Lush and Canella Lush. A doctor's boat would come into the area once a year for x-rays and medical examinations, until the Cottage Hospital opened in Springdale, then people went there.
Tourism
Smith's Harbour boosts a beautiful day park. Limestone Park is located in the southeast direction, just after one enters Smith's Harbour. It consists of a 30 minute hiking trail leading to a small cave 2 kms away. The park contains picnic tables, lookout site, a small beach and a swimming area. Even though it is a day park, there is a beautiful glen close to shore that's great for pitching a tent.
Fishery Industry
There are two full time fisherperson's in Smith's Harbour.
Forestry Industry
There are two sawmill owners in the community which have been in operation for twelve years
Finiancial Institutions
The nearest banking and financial facilities are located in Baie Verte .
Housing
There are sixty-five houses in Smith's Harbour, of which fifty-nine are occupied.
Education
All children are either bussed to school in Burlington. or Middle Arm.
Postal Service
Smith's Harbour has a rural mail box service from the post office in Burlington.
Media Data
Newspaper(s).
Entertainment.
Organizations
There are a number of Clubs and Organizations which are mainly religious and local groups.
Health & Welfare
The community of Smith's Harbour is serviced by the Baie Verte Peninsula Hospital
Fire Protection
Smith's Harbour has a joint service with the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department.
Transportation
Community Travel.
Airport.
Bus Service.
Communities Distances.
Wholesalers and Shopping Centers.
Utilities & Power
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
Water Supply & Sanitation
Brook Water Supply.
Garbage Collection.
Sewage System.
Smith's Harbour has a main water supply system through all of the community. The source of water is a brook located about two miles from the community. There are fifty - nine households connected to the main system and forty connected to their own private wells. The main system is chlorinated. The water supply is regularly inspected by authorities and samples are analyzed once a month. There are no problems with freeze-ups during winter and no problems with dry-ups during the summer.
The system was financed by the Local Service District through Federal and Provincial Funding.
The community has a garbage collection once a week and it is done by a private contractor. A truck is used to collect the garbage and take it to the disposal area six miles from the community. The disposal area is supervised and there are no problems with rodents and bears.
All residents of Smith's Harbour have septic tanks. Private systems are inspected by the Department of Health.
Social & Cultural Data
There are two churches in Smith's Harbour.
The United Church was constructed in 1917 with an average weekly attendance of fifty. Services are conducted bi-weekly due to the minister having to serve two communities.
The other church is the Bethel Pentecostal which was constructed in 1955 with an average weekly attendance of one hundred thirty. They conduct three services per week. There has been an increase in membership over the past few years. They are involved in a few church organizations.
