Lewisporte, Newfoundland and Labrador
| Lewisporte | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 |
|
 Lewisporte
|
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| Coordinates: 49°14′N 55°04′W / 49.233°N 55.067°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 Newfoundland and Labrador
|
| Settled | 1876 |
| Incorporated | 1946 |
| Government | |
| • Current Mayor | Brian Sceviour |
| Population | |
| • Total | 3,312 |
| Time zone | Newfoundland Time (UTC-3:30) |
| • Summer (DST) | Newfoundland Daylight (UTC-2:30) |
| Postal Code | A0G 3A0 |
| Area code(s) | 709 |
| Highways | Route 340 |
| Website | Town of Lewisporte website |
Lewisporte is a town in central Newfoundland Island, Canada, with a population of 3,312. It is situated in Burnt Bay which opens on to the Bay of Exploits. Lewisporte has a deep water port and related facilities that serve many communities in the region. Gander and its international airport are thirty minutes east on the Trans Canada Highway. Grand Falls-Windsor is a 45-minute drive west. Twillingate is a 75-minute drive north of Lewisporte on Route 340.
Settlers first arrived in Lewisporte, previously named Burnt Bay and then Marshallville (after the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary William T Marshall who died in 1846), in 1887 and engaged in the prosperous fishing, logging, and ship building industries. Lewisporte is named for Lewis Miller, an enterprising Scotsman who operated a logging company in central Newfoundland. Millertown, another community in this region is also named for him. The first European settlers were attracted to the area by the huge stands of birch, spruce and pine, which graced the shores.
During the war years, Lewisporte was an important base of operations for the Canadian Forces. Gander's strategic location as a ‘jumping off’ point for flights going to Europe brought a larger population to Lewisporte. Approximately three army sites were constructed in Lewisporte to protect the oil supply lines to Gander. By the end of the war there were 150 families and a population of 821. Rapid commercial and residential growth after the war has converted and swallowed nearly all evidence of military presence.
Lewisporte's population and size have increased as the town's transportation and distribution function became more important. In 1947, Lewisporte Wholesalers began operations, then in 1949 Steers Limited began their wholesale business in the community. Both the companies acted as suppliers for the entire province. Following these major companies came others who eyed the community as a main distribution centre. The town was incorporated in 1946 and by 1976 the population had increased from 821 to 3200.
After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, numerous transatlantic flights were diverted to Gander International Airport when U.S. airspace was closed. Lewisporte participated in Operation Yellow Ribbon, and sheltered and fed hundreds of stranded airline passengers for several days. In subsequent press reports, the passengers praised the citizens of Lewisporte for their concern and hospitality.
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Wikipedia