" Discover the Heritage of the Baccalieu Trail "
Carbonear - History Timeline
1630's - 1640's - Mary Weymouth is listed as running a plantation in Carbonear.
1631 (September 1) - Nicholas Guy, who had formly lived at Cupids, is settled with his family at Carbonear. In a letter to Sir Percival Willoughby he states that "this year I have made by my Industry 100 pounds cleare..."
1675 – Carbonear is listed in earliest Census with 11 adults, 16 children, 8 boats and 30 servants. Family names include Pynn, Edwards, Bradley, Windsor and Guy.
1679 – William Downing and Thomas Oxford propose to fortify "Carboniere" on behalf of the residents.
1697 – The settlement consisting of 22 houses is destroyed by the French. The French report that the houses of Carbonear are "the best built in all Newfoundland". Carbonear Island defends itself from the attack.
1705 – Once again the French burned the town. Carbonear Island again defends its self from the attack.
1729 - Carbonear is designated one of the six Judiciary districts in Newfoundland. Two of the first Justices of the Peace, William Pinn and Charles Garland are assigned to the district.
1755 – Roman Catholics are convicted for saying Masks and hearing confession.
Summer 1762 - Successful invasion of Carbonear Island by the French while most people are down to Labrador.
1767– The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel established a church at Carbonear.
1775 – Carbonear attacked by American privateers.
1788 – The first Methodist church in Carbonear is erected.
1813 – A private school for girls is opened by the wife of the Methodist minister.
1826 – Newfoundland School Society is established in Carbonear and has 100 students.
1833 – Fifty-six vessels are involved in the export of fish which came from the Labrador and inshore fisheries.
1838 – The Carbonear Grammar School Act grants the establishment of a Grammar School.
1840 – A large number of fishing vessels leave from Carbonear to go to the Labrador fishery.
1853 – There are 13 traders and suppliers in the town. Led by the firms of Pack, Gosse & Fryer & John Rorke
1861 – One man is killed during political riots.
1862 – A riot by mummers makes it necessaryto send troops from the St John’s garrison to restore order.
1866 – The Grammar School established in 1838 is closed and students are divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant boards equally.
1877 – Fifteen major merchants and traders are listed in Carbonear.
1900’s (early) The Carbonear District Vocational School is built (provided upgrading services and vocational training to residents of the Trinity and Conception Bay areas).
1966 – A small shopping center which has a supermarket and department store is the towns first modern shopping development.
1970 – Carbonear provides goods and services to its own residents, as well as serving as a distributing and service center for many other areas of Conception and Trinity Bays. Earle Brothers Fisheries Ltd. provides employment in the primary industry; other employment is in the distribution of goods and services.
1974 – Approval is given by the town council for the development of a shopping mall in the western section of the town.
1976 - The town has a swimming pool, cinema and a senior citizens home (Harbour Lodge).
1976 (September 13) – Official opening of the new Regional Hospital takes place and the old hospital is made into a nursing home for the elderly patients who are bed-ridden.
1978 – A shopping mall is opened in the western section of town.
1978-1979 – Carbonear has three schools operating under the Avalon North Integrated School Board and two schools under the Conception Bay North Roman Catholic School Board.
