Lewisporte, Newfoundland Labrador, is a charming town nestled in central Newfoundland, Canada. Known for its deep-water port and related facilities, Lewisporte serves many communities in the region. With a population of 3,288, it is situated in Burnt Bay, which opens onto the Bay of Exploits.
The history of Lewisporte, Newfoundland Labrador, dates back to 1887 when settlers first arrived. Initially known as Burnt Bay, and later Marshallville (named after the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary William T Marshall who passed away in 1846), the town was eventually named Lewisporte after Lewis Miller, a Scottish entrepreneur who operated a logging company in central Newfoundland. Another community in this region, Millertown, also bears his name.
The first European settlers were drawn to the area by the vast stands of birch, spruce, and pine. They engaged in the prosperous fishing, logging, and shipbuilding industries. During the Second World War, Lewisporte served as an important base of operations for the Canadian Forces. The town's strategic location as a ‘jumping off’ point for flights going to Europe brought a larger population to Lewisporte. Three army sites were constructed in Lewisporte to protect the oil supply lines to Gander. By the end of the war, the town had grown to 150 families and a population of 821.
Post-war commercial and residential growth in Lewisporte, Newfoundland Labrador, has nearly erased all evidence of military presence. The town's population and size have increased as its goods distribution function has become more important. In 1947, Lewisporte Wholesalers began operations, followed by Steers Limited in 1949. Both companies served as suppliers for the entire province. Following these major companies, others saw the community as a potential distribution centre. The town was incorporated in 1946, and by 1976, the population had increased from 821 to 3780.
Lewisporte, Newfoundland Labrador, gained international recognition for its compassion and hospitality following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. When U.S. airspace was closed, numerous transatlantic flights were diverted to Gander International Airport. Lewisporte participated in Operation Yellow Ribbon, sheltering and feeding hundreds of stranded airline passengers for several days. The passengers later praised the citizens of Lewisporte for their concern and hospitality in press reports.
Lewisporte, Newfoundland Labrador, has earned the moniker of “Gateway to the North” as it served as the base for a freight service to coastal Labrador. In September 2018, the Woodward Group and its subsidiary Labrador Marine Inc. unveiled their plans for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry service from Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This service, which began in March 2019, replaced the freight shipping to the northern coasts of Labrador formerly done out of Lewisporte.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lewisporte, Newfoundland Labrador, had a population of 3,288 living in 1,431 of its 1,632 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -3.5% from its 2016 population of 3,409. With a land area of 36.02 km2 (13.91 sq mi), it had a population density of 91.3/km2 (236.4/sq mi) in 2021.
