Musgrave Harbour

Origin of Name: Originally know as Muddy Hole, but it was renamed in 1866 for Sir Anthony Musgrave, who was Governor of Newfoundland from 1864-1869

Population: 1,386 (1996) Protestant

Early Settlement: Originally this area was a center for the migratory fishery, but in 1834 John Whiteway of Western Bay became the first European to settle year around. Early settlers were mostly Anglican, however, by the late 19th century the Methodists and the Salvation Army had established churches.

Employment: Fishing, tourism and related service industries.

Interesting Facts about Musgrave Harbour

• 1834, John Whiteway becomes the first European to settle year round in Musgrave
• 1853, Wesleyan school opens.
• 1857, Population is 150.
• pre 1866, Community is known as Muddy Hole.
• 1874, Full time Wesleyan minister is assigned to Musgrave Harbour.
• 1900 (ca), Musgrave Harbour is established as an administrative and religious center for Hamilton Sound.
• 1909, Fishermen's Protective Union establishes a local council at Musgrave Harbour.
• 1909, With the introduction of the gasoline engine, inshore fishing largely replaces the Labrador fishery.
• 1911, Population is 433.
• 1912, Union trading store opens at nearby Doting Cove.
• 1941, Sir Frederick Banting, winner of the Nobel Prize for medicine for his co-discovery of Insulin (a drug to treat diabetes), dies in a plane crash near Musgrave Harbour.
• 1954, Musgrave Harbour is incorporated.

Historic Sites: Banting Interpretation Center in the Municipal Park and Musgrave Harbour Fishermen's Museum.