| Mary's Harbour |
...and its History
| What cannot be achieved in one lifetime will happen when one lifetime is joined to another. -Harold Kushner |
| Incorporated April 11, 1975 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Can't Find What You're Looking For? Search marysharbour.net |
| This small community found on the south coast of Labrador was once known as The St. Mary's River. However when the post office was started in 1955 it received its new name of Mary's Harbour. This change occurred due to the confusion of St. Marys in Newfoundland. In 1945 there was a tragic fire that was believed to be started by a cigarette on a very hot day by American campers. The first residents of the community were fishing families from nearby fishing communities on the outside, such as Battle Harbour, Matthews Cove, Trap Cove, and Indian Cove. Until the mid 1960s, these families only resided in Mary's Harbour in the winter months, and continued to fish on the outside communities during the fishing season. At that time the fishing industry was a great success and included cod, salmon, herring, and mackerel. Soon after, families began to set roots and often maintained two homes, shifting back and forth as the seasons changed. It was in 1959 when Mary's Harbour received its first road, which replaced the cow paths that lead around the community. This road was built by pick and shovel by the local men, and 4 years later the Department of Highways improved the road and built a bridge across St. Mary's River. This bridge is still used today as a pedestrian crossing, with a new two lane bridge used for motor vehicles. Later in 1983-84 the road was extended to Lodge Bay, and in 2000 it was connected to the Labrador Straits. Soon after, it extended on the north end, connecting other communities as it stretched to Cartwright. This road is presently in the process of another extension, and will connect to Happy Valley- Goose Bay in 2009. In October of 1963 Telephone service was brought to the community by Bell Telephone, with the first long distance call placed on November 8 of that year. On November 21 of the next year, Hydro built a diesel generated power plant. In Easter of 1993 this building burned to the ground. This left the community in darkness for 4 days, until new generators were flown into the community by a Hercules aircraft. Until 1980, the community had no runway for an aircraft to land. It was an everyday event to see a float plane land in the harbour during the summer, and on skis during the winter months. The first aircraft to land on solid ground was on July 20, 1980 and it was the Queenaire. To date, Air Labrador services the community with passenger services, mail services, as well as a means of medical transportation |