Twillingate

Origin of Name: Was originally known as Toulinguet, named after the a group of islets located off of Brest, France.

Population: 2,954 (1996), Protestant

Early Settlement: In the early 1600s many French fishermen visited the area, however by the early 1700s English fishermen began to visit the area also.

Employment: Timber, seals and timber has been the traditional economy of Twillingate. More recently, tourism, especially whale and iceberg watching has grown significantly.

Interesting Facts about Twillingate

• 1738, 12 families spend the winter in Twillingate.
• 1750 (ca) John Slade of Poole becomes involved in the fishery at Twillingate, and soon establishes a significant commercial presence.
• 1750s (ca), St. Peter's Anglican Church is constructed. One of the oldest wooden churches in North America.
• 1798, Population of Twillingate and area is 400.
• 1799, The first clergyman arrives, Rev. John Jones.
• 1829, The first permanent school is established.
• 1818, Demasduit or Mary March is captured and brought to Twillingate.
• 1867, Georgina Stirling (d. 1935) is born. As Marie Toulinguet she becomes one of the world's most well known opera singers, performing in Milan, Paris and around the world.
• 1876, Long Point Lighthouse is built.
• 1884, Population of Twillingate peaks at 3694, with more than 1500 Twillingate men employed in the Labrador fishery; Twillingate Sun is first published.
• late 1800s, Twillingate is known as the "Capital of the North".
• 1894, Newfoundland Bank Crash severely slows Twillingate's economy.
• 1924, Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital opens in Twillingate, becoming the only hospital at the time between St. Anthony and St. John's.
• 1932, Dr. John McKee Olds arrives and in 1934 becomes medical superintendent and chief surgeon. He begins a long and distinguished medical career in Twillingate until the 1970s.

Local Historic Sites: Twillingate Community Museum & St. Peter's Anglican Church, Prime Berth Historic Fishing Center