Population: 3,740 (1996)

Located on the western side of Conception Bay is the town of Harbour Grace. It is situated on the northwest shore of a harbour extending 4.5 miles in a southwesterly direction, with hills on either side rising to an elevation of about 500 feet.

Throughout the town's history different names have appeared on maps and in texts which include: Harbor de Grace, Harborgrace, Carolinopole, Harbour grace, Haver de Grace, Havre de Grace and Harbour Grace.

Harbour Grace was settled by at least 1618 when the company of Bristol Merchants established the Bristol's Hope plantation there.

Both The Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence had an impact on Harbour Grace. With the American Revolution, Newfoundland's trade with New England was cut off, and the fishery was overwhelmed by the American privateers.

After the fire in 1857, under the supervision of carpenters John and James Hutchings, Gideon Beebee (contractor from New Brunswick) and George Crosbie (plasterer who joined him) were responsible for almost all the rebuilding of Water Street.

Harbour Grace had many small profitable industries throughout its history which included (boot and shoemakers, blacksmiths, cabinet-makers, sail makers, coopers, and tin-smiths). The majority of them were connected with the fishery.

Each of Newfoundland's communities are unique in some ways (evident in Harbour Grace) Harbour Grace was the second most important town in Newfoundland, the economics of the town were disturbed by the bank crash in 1894 and by many fires.

Several schools were operating around 1870:
1. Bear's Cove under Sarah Comer (68 students)
2. North side of Harbour Grace under Eli Martin (115 students)
3. West, under Fanny Stowe (89 students)
4. Two schools at Riverhead, one under Miss Kelly (30 girls) and
one taught by Mrs. Stapleton (61 students)

The parish in Harbour Grace was served by many clergymen, including;
1766 - 1773 (Rev. Laurence Coughlan)
1773 - 1792 (Rev. James Balfour)
1795 - 1799 (Rev. G.C. Jenner)
1802 - 1812 (Rev. Lewis A. Anspach)
1813 - 1818 (Rev. F. H. Carrington)

Click here for information about whaling in Harbour Grace.

 

Click to view the picture galleries of
Harbour's Grace
Heritage Structures
Various Addresses
Harbour Grace South
Harvey Street
Water Street
Victoria Street