Did you know?
Emile Benoit was perhaps Newfoundland's best known fiddle player and one of the best
traditional musicians of his time. He was born, raised and died in Black Brook on the
Port-Au-Port peninsula. The Holiday Inn in Stephenville has a restaurant and meeting
room named after him. The Bay St. George Long Term Care Centre – Emile Benoit House
is also named for him.
There is some controversy over how Stephenville got its name. Some believe that Stephen
Gallant was the first person born in the area and the town was named after him. However,
some believe that Stephen LeBlanc was the first born there and that it is after him the
town is named.
When Stephenville’s Harmon Based closed in December 1966, its real estate holdings were
worth one hundred and seventy-nine million dollars. All buildings were eventually turned
over to the Federal Government.
The Cape St. George area includes members of the Francophone community and the Mi'kmaq
community.
Burgeo is home to the Sandbanks Provincial Park, a park known for its miles of white
sandy beaches.
In 1963, the first telephone call was made from Ramea by the Hon. C.W. Carter.
Do you know what the symbols on the Stephenville Crossing Crest represent?
The Gut Bridge, spike and hammer represent the connection to the railway, the fire
hat and axe represent the dedication of the volunteer fire department and the fish
represents the ocean and local fishery.
The Community of Flat Bay is named after a body of water 1 mile wide and 6 miles long.
It is sheltered by Sandy Point, with 3 large rivers flowing into the Bay.
French-language television and radio are broadcast to francophones on the Port-au-Port
peninsula, and students can receive a French-language education at the Centre scolaire
et communautaire Sainte-Anne in Mainland.
Our Lady of Mercy Church located in Port Au Port West is the largest all-wooden structure
in Newfoundland.
Newfoundland and Labrador's first alpaca farm is located on the scenic French Ancestors
Route of the Port au Port Peninsula. The farm is situated on sea cliffs overlooking Bay
St. George. It was started in 1998 and is now home to a small herd of huacaya alpacas,
a few llamas and a miniature horse.
The town of St. Georges is home of the Blueberry festival and was incorporated in 1965.
It is the oldest Town in the Bay St. George Area.
