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Norris Arm Sunset with sound clip of 'Ode to Newfoundland'
26 August 2004
Norris Arm, Newfoundland, Canada

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What was once a small farming and fishing village in Central Newfoundland expanded into an industrious and booming town. The large stands of pine enticed several entrepreneurs to settle and develop industries in Norris Arm - mainly sawmilling, shipbuilding, railway and aviation.

With the abundance of pine timber, Norris Arm's first commercial sawmill was built. From the late 1800s to early 1940s, there were 3 known owners, New Land Lumber Co. (later Central Forest), Harry J. Crowe and Saunders, Howell & Co. Ltd. The capacity of this last mill was 2,500,000 feet of sawn lumber annually and employed on average 100 men during mill operations in the summer. During the winter months the company employed additional men from Norris Arm and surrounding areas for cutting and hauling logs in preparation for the spring drive.

One of the first known businesses to operate out of Norris Arm was the Norris Arm Shipbuilding Company and was run, in part, by M.E. Martin. This company was in operation from approximately 1877 to 1920. Some of the schooners built here and used in the fishing industry and for merchant trade were Pauline Martin, Rose M, Neerod, Julia, Kathleen, Firefly, Sunburst, Circassian, Ema W, and Ellie D. Unfortunately, some of these schooners met their demise within their first year of service.

By the early 1890s the Reid Newfoundland Railway had reached Norris Arm. The town's first railway station was constructed around that time. This vast structure not only served as a station but also provided lodging for travelers. A second station was later built and used solely for travel. Because of the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway through Norris Arm, less of a demand was made on the railway and its station.

In the early 1930s, the Military Hangar was built to house seaplanes. Meteorological surveys were conducted, regarding the Trans-Atlantic flight. In addition, weather information was collected for Air Ministry and Norris Arm assisted in aerial development for Gander. Capt. Doug Fraser, Capt. Arthur Sullivan and Capt. Clifford Kent were 3 of the pilots who worked at the hangar.

We cannot forget the brave men and women who went overseas and fought for our country in WWI and WWII. Their heroic deeds cost some of them their lives and they are forever remembered.

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Rattling Brook Falls
24 May 1930
Rattling Brook, Newfoundland, Canada

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Before 1956, Rattling Brook had one of the best salmon rivers in our province.

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Palaeo Eskimo Artifacts
Date not available
Rattling Brook, Newfoundland, Canada

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History shows that Palaeo-Eskimos, the Maritime Archaic, Beothucks and early Newfoundland explorers set up camps and salmon stations on the riverbanks and fished for salmon.