Jackson's Cove

When looking at these communities, one realizes how close they are together. They are located within a five mile radius on the same coastline. The community of Jackson's Cove is over 200 years old, it was settled in approximately 1711. Although many of the people in this area rely on a variety of the primary industries, most of the people are employed in the fishery. This area is located on the Northeast Atlantic with a beautiful coastline. These communities are rich in culture, much of which can be viewed at the J.T. Upward Museum.

Local History

A fishing, farming and lumbering community located near promontory separating Green Bay from Western Arm. When Jackson's Cove was first listed in the Census in 1857 with a population of 37. Langdon's Cove, with Nicky's Nose, was first recorded in 1874 with 23 people. Silverdale (Bear Cove until 1921) was listed in 1891 with 29 people. Tradition holds that the first English visitor to Jackson's Cove wore three jackets and the community was originally named Jacket's Cove. Langdon's Cove got its name from the surname Langdon.

English settlers were drawn to the area by easy access to fishing grounds, but by 1869 they were farming. In the 1860's people were attracted by the flurry of copper mining in the Green Bay area, with five mines opening near Jackson's Cove. Two of these were:

• In 1876, the Swatridge mine opened but closed the following winter
• In 1878, the Colchester mine was opened by Betts Cove Mining Company

Even though mining was prominent in the area, the fishery remained a principal source of employment. When a fishplant was built in nearby Harry's Harbour in the late 1970's it replaced individual fishing facilities. Before this the fishermen took there catch to Nipper's Harbour or Little Bay Islands .

Farming eventually became a major source of employment. The area has rich soil and in 1911, 104 acres were under cultivation. By the 1950's a government land clearing policy made a tractor available and many more acres were cultivated.

The first English settlers in the area were Wesleyan. They built a church in 1869 and a school in 1901. The Salvation Army came in 1891 and built a church in 1921. In the 1950's children attended two United Church one-room schools at Jackson's Cove and Silverdale.