Whitbourne, Newfoundland and Labrador facts for kids
Whitbourne is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It's special because it's the first town in Newfoundland that isn't right on the coast. It's located inland, away from the ocean.
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About Whitbourne
How Whitbourne Got Its Name
Whitbourne is named after a very interesting person named Sir Richard Whitbourne. He was one of the first English settlers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Sir Richard wrote a book about Newfoundland that was published way back in 1620.
He was also chosen to set up the first English law court in the New World in 1615. This happened in a place called Trinity. Sir Richard had some exciting adventures! He was even captured by a famous pirate named Peter Easton in Harbour Grace. He also wrote about seeing a mermaid in St. John's harbour. Later, he became a governor in Renews.
The Railway and Whitbourne
Whitbourne was founded around 1880. This was when the Newfoundland Railway was being built. The railway was very important for the town. It provided many jobs for people living there. Even though the railway stopped running in 1988, it was a big part of Whitbourne's history for a long time.
Sir Robert Bond, who was like the leader of Newfoundland from 1900 to 1909, also helped with the town's growth. He even built a large country home called "the Grange" in Whitbourne.
A Special Location
The town of Whitbourne is located right off the main Trans-Canada Highway on Route 81. It's a great spot because it's in the middle of three different ways to explore the Avalon Peninsula.
- Route 80 is one way to get to the Baccalieu Trail.
- Route 100 and Route 81 lead to the ferry service in Argentia. This ferry can take you to other parts of Placentia and St. Mary's Bays.
- Route 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, goes towards the other entrance to the Baccalieu Trail and the capital city of St. John's.
Because of its central location, there is a special Provincial Visitor Information Center near the town. This center helps visitors learn more about the area.
Fun Facts About Whitbourne
Whitbourne has many things you would expect in a small town. It has always been a place that provides services for the surrounding area. Many visitors enjoy exploring the town's Wetlands Conservation Trail.
According to information from 2001, the population of Whitbourne was 930 people.
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