Heart's Delight-Islington, a charming town nestled on the south side of Trinity Bay in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a place of historical significance and natural beauty. This town, located on Newfoundland and Labrador Route 80, has a rich history dating back to the 18th century.
Heart's Delight-Islington is conveniently situated on Route 80, nestled between Cavendish and Heart's Desire. The town is a mere 15-minute drive from the Pitcher's Pond Golf Course, and a 30-minute journey from Carbonear in Conception Bay, making it an ideal location for both relaxation and exploration.
The name "Heart's Delight" carries a romantic allure, with several stories surrounding its origin. One tale suggests a weary traveler, upon arriving in the cove, was so taken by its beauty that he named it his "Heart's Delight." Another theory proposes that Heart's Delight, along with the neighboring communities of Heart's Desire and Heart's Content, were named after fishing vessels that frequented the surrounding harbor during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Heart's Delight-Islington was settled in the late 18th century, with the earliest reference found in the Trinity parish records noting the birth of Elizabeth Wolfrey in 1785. The first settler is believed to have been a man named Bryant. The first official Census in 1836 recorded a population of 167, predominantly Protestant Dissenters, with two Roman Catholics. By 1887, the population had grown to 357. The community saw significant infrastructure development in 1963 with the construction of two new concrete bridges.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Heart's Delight-Islington had a population of 646 living in 315 of its 427 total private dwellings, a slight decrease from its 2016 population of 674. With a land area of 26.95 km2 (10.41 sq mi), the town had a population density of 24.0/km2 (62.1/sq mi) in 2021.
Heart's Delight-Islington has also made its mark in the world of beauty pageants. Danielle Seward, a resident of the town, represented Heart's Delight-Islington in the Miss Teen Newfoundland & Labrador Pageant in 2007 and was crowned the winner that year.
