Lodge Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lodge Bay
Ranger Lodge
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Local service district / designated place
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.68 km2 (5.67 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 76 |
| Time zone | UTC-3:30 (Newfoundland Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-2:30 (Newfoundland Daylight) |
| Postal Code |
A0K 1T0
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| Area code(s) | 709 |
| Highways |  Route 510 (Trans-Labrador Highway) |
Lodge Bay is a small community located on the southeast coast of Labrador, in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a local service district and a designated place.
This community has a population of less than one hundred people. Its history is shaped by early European settlers and the Inuit people who moved around the land to find resources. The name Lodge Bay comes from "Ranger Lodge." This name was given by Captain George Cartwright in the late 1700s. "Ranger" was the name of his trading ship. "Lodge" meant a hunting camp in England at that time.
Contents
History of Lodge Bay
Early Inuit Life
The Inuit people of Labrador have a long history with the Lodge Bay area. This region offered many natural resources. These included fur, salmon, timber, and fresh water. The Inuit lived a seasonal life, moving to different places to find these resources. This way of life is called transhumance. Captain Cartwright's journal from 1792 mentions how the Inuit used the land. They would visit Ranger Lodge seasonally for trade.
Peace Treaty and Trade
In 1765, the Labrador Treaty was signed by Governor Sir Hugh Palliser. This treaty brought peace between the Inuit of Labrador and the British government. Before this, European traders often caused conflict with the Inuit. However, some Innu and Inuit traded peacefully with Europeans. Trading posts gave native people useful goods. These included steel tools, clothing, and firearms.
The treaty was signed in August 1765 at Chateau Bay, Labrador. It helped increase trade and settlement on the coast. Over time, the Inuit of southern Labrador moved north of Cape St. Charles. This left the Lodge Bay area open for others.
Captain Cartwright's Trading Posts
Captain George Cartwright set up his first trading post in Labrador in 1770. This was at Cape St. Charles. In the same year, he started his own trading business at Lodge Bay. Cartwright explored the area and traded with the Innu and Inuit people. He built strong relationships with them.
Because of his good relationships and their knowledge of the land, Cartwright expanded his business. He opened posts at Ranger Lodge (Lodge Bay) from 1770 to 1774. He also had posts at Caribou Castle (now Cartwright) from 1775 to 1778, and Stage Cove from 1774 to 1775. The competition in the salmon and fur trade was very tough. Captain Cartwright eventually went bankrupt in 1784. His first post at Ranger Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1772.
European Settlement and Seasonal Living
As more Europeans settled in the 1800s and early 1900s, Lodge Bay became a winter home. It was used by fishing crews who worked on the Labrador Coast. Many early settlers came for the fish trade, especially cod, mackerel, herring, and salmon. The Canadian fur trade also attracted many people to this remote area.
Lodge Bay was a popular place for seasonal settlement. This was because it had many natural resources, just like the Inuit had found. Early settlers often lived in two places each year. In summer and autumn, families lived in coastal communities. These included Cape St. Charles, Henley Harbour, or Battle Harbour. These summer spots were good for fishing in the Atlantic Ocean.
In winter and early spring, families moved to inland communities. Lodge Bay and nearby Mary's Harbour were examples. Winter settlements focused on trapping, cutting wood, boat repair, and seal hunting.
Permanent Community Life
Lodge Bay became a year-round community in the early 1900s. The cod and salmon fisheries started to decline. In 1992, there was a ban on cod fishing. This led many seasonal fishing communities to resettle. Families from nearby Cape St. Charles, Carrol's Cove, and Henley Harbour had to move. They sought new jobs elsewhere. Residents of Cape St. Charles who only used Lodge Bay in winter moved there permanently.
Geography and Environment
Lodge Bay is located in Labrador. It is part of Subdivision B of Division No. 10. The community is in a heavily forested area. It sits at the start of the St. Charles River.
Local Ecosystem
The area has a boreal ecosystem. This means it has large forests of black spruce, white spruce, and balsam fir trees. This environment is a good home for many animals. You can find moose, wolves, bears, ptarmigan, rabbits, and lynx here.
The St. Charles River flows into Cape St. Charles and the Great Caribou Islands. Many Atlantic salmon swim up the St. Charles River each year. They go there to lay their eggs. The bay around Lodge Bay also has different types of fish. These include trout, freshwater smelts, and shellfish.
Population Information
In the 2016 Census, Lodge Bay had a population of 65 people. These people lived in 27 of the 37 homes in the area. This was a decrease from 78 people in 2011. The land area of Lodge Bay is about 6.19 square kilometers (2.39 sq mi).
Arts and Culture
Many immigrant families chose Lodge Bay as their seasonal home. One important family was the Pye family. The Pye family name comes from the British Isles. It was common in the late 1400s in Herefordshire, England.
Pye Family History
Over time, many Pye families moved to the colony of Newfoundland. They settled around Conception Bay. From there, families who worked in the fur and fish trades moved to Labrador. They often went to active fishing settlements like Cape St. Charles.
Like many Labrador families, the Pye family can trace their history back to the first European settlers. They use family stories and church records to learn about their past. This gives them a unique look at their family's beginnings.
NunatuKavummiut Heritage
Lodge Bay is also home to many members of the NunatuKavummiut. This group is also known as the Labrador Metis Nation. They are the largest Indigenous group in Labrador. The NunatuKavummiut are descendants of both European settlers and the Labrador Inuit. European men often married Labrador Inuit women. This created a special culture, history, and heritage. It combines the beliefs and practices of both parent cultures. Lodge Bay is considered the southernmost permanent community within the Nunatukavut land claims area.
How Lodge Bay is Governed
Lodge Bay is a local service district. This means it is run by a committee. This committee is in charge of providing certain services to the community. The current head of this committee is Keith Rumbolt.
See also
- List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
- List of designated places in Newfoundland and Labrador
- List of local service districts in Newfoundland and Labrador
