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Origin of Name: The name of the islands originates with the practice of local fishermen who would live on the islands during the summer, but at the end of the fishing season, they would change their location and move inland to cut wood and spend their winter.
Population: 460 (1996), Protestant
Early Settlement: During the early 1700s the first Europeans to visit the area were primarily French fishermen prosecuting the northern cod fishery. In the early 1800s permanent settlement begins with the arrival of English settlers.
Employment: Fishing has been the traditional employer, but lately the economy has diversified to include tourism and transportation.
Interesting Facts about the Change Islands
- 1783, Control of the Change Islands is passed to the British from the French.
- 1845, Population is listed at 316.
- 1867, According to folklore, Joseph Edmund Elliot while listening to a sermon in St. James Church in Change Islands, conceives the idea for a cod trap. His trap becomes one of the most widely used in Newfoundland.
- 1874, Change Islands becomes one of the central communities involved in the winter seal hunt.
- 1884, Population increases to 934.
- 1909, First annual meeting of the Supreme Council of William Coaker's Fishermen's Protective Union (FPU) is held in Change Islands. This was the first organization to represent fishermen in their dealings with the Water Street merchants.
- 1914, George Halden Earle is born in Change Islands. He has a long distinguished career as a priest and academic, culminating in his becoming Canon of the Anglican Cathedral in St. John's in 1971.
- 1951, Change Islands is incorporated as a municipality.
- 1965, Causeway is built, joining the two Change islands.
Significant Architecture: Seven Oakes Inn, home of the Earle Family.
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