Sandy Cove

Current Population: 160

Location: Southside of the Eastport Peninsula along Route 310.

Historical Overview

Place Name Origin: Once known as Silver Buckle after a pirate who was believed to have buried his treasure there. The name "Sandy Cove" came from the long sandy beach located in a broad cove at the bottom of the community.

Names and Dates of First Settlers:

• Originally settled in the mid 1800s by three brothers, Thomas, Edward and Henry Matchim.
• By 1869 six families resided there; three Matchims, two Powells and a King.
• The next few families settled by 1890; Dyke, Hobbs, Quinton, and Wicks.

First Recorded Populations:

• In 1901 there was a population of 82.
• By 1911 the population grew to 123.

Major Early Industries:

• Fishing
• Logging
• Farming (for personal use)
• When the road system was developed fishing quickly died out as people started commuting to various places for various kinds of employment.

Significant Facts about Sandy Cove

• Sandy Cove won the 1998 Provincial Tidy Towns Award.
• Volunteers built the majority of attractions.
• Because the fishing industry died out early, Sandy Cove was one of the few communities in the Kittiwake Region unaffected by the 1992 moratorium.

Attractions

Sandy Cove Beach: Enjoy the summer sunbathing and building sandcastles in the white sands.

Sandy Cove Lookout Hiking Trail: After taking the rugged hike up to the lookout, enjoy the breathtaking view of a vast part of the peninsula and bays.

Crooked Tree Park: Aside from its popular "crooked trees", this park is ideal for families with its shallow fresh water, playground, picnic area, change-rooms, washrooms, and cook shelter.

The Old Trails: Approximately 9km of trails designed for summer hiking and winter ski-dooing. Easy access for families, groups and seniors as well as more rugged terrain for more experienced hikers. Phone the Eastport Peninsula Heritage Society for more information at (709) 677-2032.

Caplin Gulch Walkway: Take a walk down over the boardwalk between the hills that takes you to the farthest point of Sandy Cove Beach.