Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Harbour Grace
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type = Town
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption = Harbour Grace water front ca. 1911


flag_size =
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seal_size =
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city_logo =
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pushpin_label_position = left
pushpin_map_caption = Location of Harbour Grace in Newfoundland
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = NL
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1610
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
government_type = Harbour Grace Town Council
government_footnotes =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Don Coombs
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_total_km2 = 33.71
area_land_sq_mi =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_sq_mi =
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area_water_percent =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2006
population_note =
population_footnotes = [ [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=1001379&Geo2=PR&Code2=10&Data=Count&SearchText=Botwood&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All Population and dwelling counts] ]
population_total = 3,074
population_urban =
population_metro =
population_density_sq_mi =
population_density_km2 = 91.2
timezone = Newfoundland Time
utc_offset = -3:30
timezone_DST = Newfoundland Daylight
utc_offset_DST = -2:30
latd = 47
latm = 41
lats =
latNS = N
longd = 53
longm = 15
longs =
longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_ft =
elevation_m = 16
postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = A0A
area_code = 709
blank_name = Highways
blank_info = Route 70
website = [http://www.hrgrace.ca/ Harbor Grace official site]
footnotes = Harbour Grace is one of the oldest towns in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is located about 45 km northwest of the capital, St. John's. The town has a population of 3,074 (2006), engaged primarily in fishing and fish processing.

History

Harbour Grace was an important port and fishing center since the earliest days of European exploration of North America. It was named after the town of Havre de Grâce (now Le Havre) in France. In 1610, pirate Peter Easton made Harbour Grace his headquarters, and established a fort overlooking the bay. Although it was attacked by the French the following year, the early settlement survived throughout the seventeenth century, with a permanent, year-round population numbering a few dozen, swelling to several hundred during the fishing season. In 1628, Robert Hayman wrote "Quodlibits" there--it was the first book written in English in the new world.

Over the coming years, control of Harbour Grace became a point of contention between the English and the French. The town, with a population numbering about 100, was razed by the French in 1697 and again in 1700. Nevertheless, between those two attacks, the population grew by 50 percent. The town reached its heyday in 1771, when it could boast a population of close to 5,800. By then, however, other colonial towns along the Atlantic coast had surpassed Harbour Grace in population and influence.

While the population declined in the coming decades, Harbour Grace did have a brief upswing in the early twentieth century because of its proximity to continental Europe. As trans-Atlantic aviation became more popular, many aviation pioneers, among them Amelia Earhart, chose to make their crossing from the nearby Harbour Grace airfield. Altogether, some twenty flights left Harbour Grace from 1927 to 1936 in their attempts to cross the Atlantic.

Today, Harbour Grace continues its tradition as a fishing and fish processing centre. In addition, because of its rich history and many historical buildings, a small tourist industry is emerging.

ee also

* List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador
* Newfoundland Railway

References