Community Profiles
Harbour Round
Trail: Dorset Trail HWY 410
Mayor: Unincorporated Community
Address: General Delivery, A0K 3A0
Telephone: (709) 661-5331
Fax: (709) 661-6151(call first)
Availability: Anytime
Location
Located southwest of La Scie on the southeast coast of Confusion Bay. It is separated from Brent's Cove by a white-colored point of land which rises to a high, steep, round hill.
Harbour Round, an unincorporated town with an approximate population of 300. Although small, Harbour Round itself is protected, the southwestern part of the bay is unsheltered and inaccessible by boat. Harbour Round was used as a French fishing station in the early Seventeenth Century because it was located near the excellent fishing grounds off Cape St. John. As described in a fisheries report of 1857 Harbour Round was occupied by only one family who had come to the area to guard the fishing equipment and supplies of the French fishermen who returned to their homelands for the winter months.
Lovell's Newfoundland Directory (1871) reports that Harbour Round, "a small fishing station on the French Shore," was first occupied by Peter Layman, a fisherman. Other families that were later recorded in the settlement were Aylward, Drover, Haas, Payne, Furey, Skinner and Seymour.
Harbour Round was first recorded in the census in 1857 with a population of five, four of whom were Roman Catholic. Today, the community is still of Roman Catholic Faith.
Population:
Not Available
Local History
See "The History of the Baie Verte Peninsula" link.
For a complete history of the Baie Verte Peninsula see the document "The History of the Baie Verte Peninsula"
General Interest
Famous People in the community.
Harbour Round is the home of local writer and poet, George Welshman, who has been recognized locally and nationally for his works.
Mrs. Alice Drover, a senior in the community, is known as a reliable resource for history and culture. Along with her personal experiences and stories, she has a collection of old songs and recitations that prove valuable when one is looking for information about the way of life in years past.
Many of the younger people leave Harbour Round to pursue a career or further their education. Michael Skinner is one individual who found success with his efforts and ambitions, obtaining different scholarships to eventually graduate from Harvard University in Boston. Michael is presently teaching in Toronto.
Tourism
One of the tourists’ attractions available in the community, as is usual in many small fishing communities, is boating and fishing activities.
Fishermen in the area are always willing to offer their services for boat trips, iceberg watching and sometimes just for fishing.
Fire Protection
There is no form of fire protection in the community but if a fire breaks out a phone call is made to Brent's Cove and their truck is sent up to Harbour Round to tend to the fire.
The community does not have any fire hydrants. This in turn makes it much harder to fight a fire. Pumps have to be put to a pond or to the salt water in order to draft the water needed to control the fire. There is no fire alarm system in the community. For the year of 1991 there was one residential fire reported.
Commercial Trade
The over all trade area rates as good in regards to availability of parking space, attractive appearance of storefronts, awareness of customer needs, and courteous and prompt services by store workers.
Again reasonable prices are questionable. This is supported by shopping in other centre’s near the community.
Postal Services
The postmistress operates the post office in her basement.
It is open to the public for mail distribution and regular postal service.
Media Data
The regional newspaper which services the community is the Nor'Wester which is available weekly.
Health and Welfare
The nearest facility is in La Scie.
There is no medical facility in the community. The nearest facility is located in La Scie which is located 10 km from the community.
Transportation
The road going to the community is gravel. There are no other forms of transportation.
The community consists of two miles of gravel road with a width of 20ft. At present there are no new roads under construction nor are there plans to construct in the future. Road maintenance and snow removal is taken care of by the Department of Highways.
The nearest commercial airport is Deer Lake and the nearest emergency air field is Springdale.
Because the community is a small one it receives many of its services from other centres. Grand Falls-Windsor is its professional and regional centre. Medical and hospital services are obtained from the medical clinic at La Scie and sometimes in Baie Verte.
Shopping services such as clothing, lumber etc.. Are obtained at La Scie and Baie Verte also. Springdale is the nearest wholesale supplier.
Utilities and Power
Provided by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
NF and Lab. Hydro, power - 1 phase, voltage - 7200, transformer capacity - 1 MVA.
Sanitation
Garbage collection and sewage system are available.
Garbage collection in the community is done by a private contractor. Once a week the garbage is picked up and the waste is trucked to the incinerator on La Scie road - 5 miles from the community.
Sewage system in the community is comprised of 100% private septic tanks. There are no provisions for inspection of this private system. Because of the fact there is no local administration there is no tax structure for the community.
Water Supply System
Total artesian wells used for the water supply.
One hundred percent of the community’s use private artesian wells as the community's means of water supply.
