CLARENVILLE’S MUNICIPAL HISTORY IN BRIEF
1845-47 - The Tilley Family Summer on the Random Island Meade
1848 - Permanent settlement along the coast between the Shoal Harbour River and the Lower Shoal Harbour River
1891 - Clareneville (Clarenville) was formed as an amalgamation of settlements
1891 - The newly constructed Newfoundland Railway reached Clarenville
1911 - The addition of the Bonavista Branch Line made Clarenville an important hub
1951 - Clarenville becomes an incorporated Municipality
1973 - Shoal Harbour becomes an incorporated Municipality
1994 - Clarenville & Shoal Harbour combine into one municipality - The Town of Clarenville
The History of Clarenville and Shoal Harbour
Unlike many of the historic fishing communities established along Newfoundland’s rugged coastline, the area surrounding Clarenville and Shoal Harbour—located at the head of Trinity Bay—was built on the backs of loggers, farmers, and trappers.
Today, Clarenville stands as the largest town in its region and the second fastest-growing municipality in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is the story of how two distinct, fiercely independent communities grew along the shores of Random Sound to ultimately become "Together as One."
Early Years & Settlement (1845–1891)
The history of the region dates back to the mid-1840s. In 1845, John "Scholar" Tilley and his family sailed from Hants Harbour on the opposite side of Trinity Bay to over-summer in Random Sound. For several years, the Tilleys established a temporary summer camp on the Random Island Meade, a beach area directly across the sound from modern-day Clarenville. While the site was ideal for camping, it lacked immediate access to potable water.
In the spring of 1848, the Tilley family returned to settle permanently, locating their homestead in the Shoal Harbour valley at the mouth of the Shoal Harbour River.
The Birth of Industry
1853: The Tilleys began operating a water-driven sawmill on the Shoal Harbour River. John Tilley also expanded his early gardening efforts into a small farm, supplying oats and hay for livestock, alongside vegetables for the growing community.
Consolidation: For many years, Tilley and his son, Joseph, ran sawmills on both the Shoal Harbour and Lower Shoal Harbour rivers, processing the valley’s massive pine, spruce, and fir trees. Joseph eventually acquired a mill built by William Cowan on the Lower Shoal River, consolidating the local timber industry.
Expansion: Other founding families, including the Wisemans and Cowans, settled the coves along the shoreline. The Wisemans established a steam-powered mill on the shoreline (where a flywheel and steam piston can still be seen today), while the Mills family developed a massive enterprise at "Mills Siding" that produced biscuit boxes, barrels, and schooners.
As sawmilling operations attracted more workers, services quickly followed. General stores, retail outlets, a telegraph station, and a post office emerged along the waterfront, transforming a scattering of logging camps into a proper settlement.
The Naming of "Clarenceville"
Long before the railway arrived, the area served as a vital terminal for "Packets"—sailing vessels like those captained by the prominent Edmund Seward—which ferried mail and passengers across the deep, sheltered waters of the sound from Carbonear. However, the official naming of the town is tied directly to the arrival of the "iron horse" in the late 19th century.
In 1891/92, the Newfoundland government amalgamated several smaller shoreline settlements—including Lower Shoal Harbour, Dark Hole (Dark Harbour), Brook Cove, Broad Cove, and Red Beach—into a larger centre. Shoal Harbour remained a separate community just to the north.
The Arrival of the Prime Minister
In the summer of 1892, the first passenger train puffed into a modest, wood-frame station near Brook Cove that served as a telegraph office and freight shed, managed by Miss Jennie Tilley. On board for an inspection trip was Sir William Whiteway, the Prime Minister of Newfoundland.
According to local lore, the naming happened during a casual conversation, though two versions of the story exist:
The Joseph Tilley Version: Joseph Tilley, the local Postmaster, approached Sir William, suggesting that since the community was destined to become a major railway hub, it deserved an official name and a proper post office.
The James Reid Version: A similar account suggests it was James Reid, a prominent associate of the Prime Minister, who nudged him for a formal designation.
In both accounts, the result was the same: the name "Clarenceville" was painted onto the side of the small station house.
The Identity of "Clarence"
While the timeline is clear, the exact inspiration for the name remains a subject of historical debate:
The Royal Tribute (Most Widely Accepted): The town was named to honour the Duke of Clarence, the eldest son of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), who passed away in early 1892—the exact year the railway arrived.
The Premier’s Son: A secondary theory suggests Sir William Whiteway named the town after his own son, Clarence. However, historical records cast doubt on this, as there is no evidence that Whiteway had a son by that name.
From "Clarenceville" to Clarenville
Names often shift with clerical shorthand. While early postal records used "Clarenceville," common usage quickly streamlined the title. By the time of the 1901 census, the middle "e" had been dropped, officially cementing the name Clarenville.
Mid-Century Growth & The Railway Shift
Around the turn of the 20th century, devastating forest fires in 1892 and 1903 ravaged local timberlands, starving the sawmills and forcing many residents toward the fishery. However, the railway provided a new economic lifeline.
While Shoal Harbour secured essential operational jobs and a two-story station when the Bonavista branch line opened in 1911, Clarenville was chosen as the primary regional service centre. It received an engine house, marshalling yards, and major infrastructure.
By the 1930s and 1940s, fueled partly by the war effort, Clarenville pulled significantly ahead with the establishment of an asphalt plant, the Newfoundland Hardwoods plant, and a government shipyard building wooden minesweepers. Shoal Harbour became increasingly dependent on its rapidly developing neighbour.
Clarenville’s Incorporation (1951)
Following Newfoundland’s confederation with Canada in 1949, the provincial Local Government Act incentivized communities to take charge of their own services. On June 12, 1951, the Town of Clarenville was officially incorporated to manage its booming industrial growth.
First Mayor: Ernest Drover led the town's first municipal council, which formed on July 10, 1951.
Initial Focus: The new council focused heavily on public works, expanding water services and formalizing systematic road maintenance.
A Short History of Shoal Harbour's Independence
While Clarenville grew as a commercial hub, Shoal Harbour maintained a distinct, fiercely guarded identity. In February 1973, Shoal Harbour officially incorporated as its own municipality, electing a council led by Mayor Eric Butler.
Despite a small tax base, Shoal Harbour made impressive strides over the next two decades, constructing its own water and sewer network, a town hall, a ballfield, and a playground. They even acquired a town fire truck, which was housed in Clarenville’s fire hall—an early sign of the practical cooperation to come.
Joined at the Hub: The Amalgamation (1985–1994)
The unification of Clarenville and Shoal Harbour is often remembered as a standard bureaucratic merger, but archival records reveal a decade-long tug-of-war between provincial mandates, infrastructure crises, and community identity.
1. The 1985 Referendum
By the 1980s, the physical borders of both towns had begun to merge, separated by little more than a causeway. Recognizing the inefficiency of dual municipal structures, Shoal Harbour Mayor Harris Thistle and Clarenville Mayor Fred Best placed a non-binding amalgamation question on the November 12, 1985, ballot. The result was a resounding rejection: 75% of Shoal Harbour residents voted "No."
2. The Provincial Push and Local Defiance (1989)
In 1989, Premier Clyde Wells’ government embarked on an aggressive campaign of municipal regionalization to cut costs. In August, the province requested that both towns postpone their upcoming elections to prepare for a forced merger.
Shoal Harbour reacted with swift defiance. At a heated council meeting, Mayor Myra Moore and local councillors rejected the province's timeline, refusing to let the government "slam this on the people." They proceeded with their local elections as scheduled.
3. The Battle of Conditions (1990)
By 1990, independent commissioners were appointed to oversee a regional feasibility study. Realizing the provincial momentum was unstoppable, both towns shifted from resistance to hard-nosed negotiation:
The Shoal Harbour Mandate: Mayor Roy Percy demanded guaranteed provincial funding to complete Shoal Harbour’s unfinished water network, a $1-million water treatment plant, job security for town staff, and absolute 50/50 parity on any future combined council.
The Clarenville Counter-Argument: Mayor Fred Best countered that Clarenville’s population was double that of Shoal Harbour and its own infrastructure was "on the verge of collapse," requiring a $10-million provincial infusion. He opposed an equal 50/50 council split, arguing it destroyed the basis of democracy by ignoring population size.
4. Resolution and Amalgamation
Despite the fierce debates, financial realities and mutual service dependencies (such as interconnected water lines) ultimately aligned.
Effective January 1, 1994, the towns officially became one municipality under the transitional name Town of Clarenville-Shoal Harbour. The newly expanded town successfully hosted the 1994 Newfoundland & Labrador Winter Games, showcasing a united front to the province. On February 15, 1994, the merger was finalized, and by 1996, the hyphen was legally dropped, streamlining the name back to the Town of Clarenville.
The Lingering Echoes of Identity
Erasing a municipal boundary line did not instantly erase generations of local pride. The social friction of the merger reappeared in waves over the ensuing decades:
The 2003 Postal Crisis: In May 2003, Canada Post mandated that all local addresses be standardized strictly to "Clarenville," phasing out the Shoal Harbour designation. This sparked an immediate identity crisis among residents who feared their history would be forgotten.
The Boundary Markers (2008–2009): In 2008, the town removed an aging Shoal Harbour sign near the wharf on Balbo Drive. Following community feedback, the town erected new signs in October 2009 to formally indicate the geographic boundary of the Shoal Harbour neighbourhood.
The Heritage Push (2015): More than twenty years after the merger, Community Development Chairman Paul Tilley addressed lingering anxieties, noting that while the amalgamation was an economic success, work must continue to ensure Shoal Harbour's unique history is actively preserved through civic signage and historical markers.
Today, the history of Clarenville and Shoal Harbour serves as a premier example of regional growth—showing how a modern economic hub can successfully move into the future while honoring the distinct heritage of the places its residents call home.
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CLARENVILLE
Joined at the Hub: The Amalgamation of Clarenville and Shoal Harbour
Photos of Historic Clarenville
Elements of Clarenville’s Statistical Profile and History
Key Content: Early reporting on regional municipal expansions and local development during the year of Shoal Harbour’s formal incorporation.
Article Title: "Amalgamation Question on Ballots"
Key Content: Announcement by Clarenville Mayor Fred Best and Shoal Harbour Mayor Harris Thistle regarding the non-binding referendum placed on the November 12, 1985, municipal election ballots.
Article Title: "Shoal Harbour Rejects Election Deferral Request"
Key Content: Coverage of the heated Shoal Harbour Council meeting where Mayor Myra Moore and Councilors Lloyd Sheppard and Wilf Penney voted to reject the provincial Department of Municipal Affairs' request to postpone elections, citing the 75% "No" vote from 1985.
Article Title: "Amalgamation Hearings Delayed to May 14"
Key Content: Report on the postponement of public hearings by independent commissioners Wayne Dymond and Frank Manuel to allow local councils more time to prepare their briefs following meetings with Municipal Affairs Minister Eric Gullage.
Article Title: "Shoal Harbour Brief Presents Strict Demands"
Key Content: Detailed breakdown of Shoal Harbour Mayor Roy Percy’s six-page brief to the feasibility commissioners, outline of non-negotiable infrastructure demands (including a $1M water treatment plant), and terms for council parity.
Article Title: "Clarenville Presents Amalgamation Brief"
Key Content: Coverage of Clarenville Mayor Fred Best's 11-page submission highlighting Clarenville's $10-million infrastructure deficit, opposition to equal council representation by area, and arguments regarding the financial risk of absorbing outlying areas like Milton.
Key Content: Coverage of the local identity crisis triggered by Canada Post’s mandate to standardize regional mailing addresses to "Clarenville," effectively removing the "Shoal Harbour" designation from official postal use.
Key Content: Interview and feature with community leaders addressing the long-term cultural impacts of the 1993 merger, highlighting efforts to implement heritage signage to ensure Shoal Harbour’s historical legacy was not permanently overshadowed.
Clarenville
1845-47 - The Tilley Family Summer on the Random Island Meade
1848 - Permanent Settlement
1891 - Clarenville Named (as Clarenceville)
1901 - Name changed to Clarenville
1951 - The Municipality of Clarenville was formed
1973 - The Municipality of Shoal Harbour formed
1994 - The Town of Clarenville
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CLARENVILLE
Photos of Historic Clarenville
Elements of Clarenville’s Statistical Profile and History
Clarenville, often called the "Hub of the East Coast," is nestled on the tranquil shores of Random Sound in Trinity Bay. Its history is as rich as the waters surrounding it. While many nearby towns were settled earlier, few have been as crucial to the region's development. Clarenville's scenic beauty, with the hills of Shoal Harbour and picturesque Random Island (known as the "Garden of Newfoundland") providing shelter, is truly unique in the province.
Unlike many Newfoundland fishing villages, Clarenville's story began differently. Located at the head of Trinity Bay, it was loggers, farmers, and trappers who first arrived, starting in the 1840s.
Before permanent settlement, families from Trinity Bay South would arrive by schooner each November. They built temporary winter cabins, called "tilts," and stayed until May. During these months, the men harvested essential resources like firewood, logs for building, and materials for fishing stages, wharves, and boats. They even collected tree rinds for curing codfish. Some operated sawpits to produce lumber or built small boats. Life during these winters was economical, with tilts providing shelter and free fuel, and wild game offering a plentiful and free source of fresh meat.
Oral history suggests the first male child born in Random Sound was in a tilt around 1853, at "the Mead" on Random Island. A few years later, this child's family, the Tilleys, permanently settled in Lower Shoal Harbour. This child, Mr. George Tilley, became a respected citizen and, with his wife, raised a large family that significantly contributed to Clarenville's growth.
John Tilley, a pioneer from Hants Harbour across Trinity Bay, established a summer camp on Random Island Meade in the mid-1840s. In 1848, seeking easier access to clean water, Tilley and his family permanently settled at the mouth of the Shoal Harbour River. Around the same time, William Cowan from St. John's built a water sawmill in Lower Shoal Harbour, which John Tilley's son, Joseph, later purchased.
By 1853, the Tilleys were operating a water-powered sawmill. John Tilley's initial gardening efforts grew into a small farm, supplying oats, hay, and vegetables. The Tilleys, along with families like the Cowans and Wisemans, settled in coves along the shoreline, transforming the region into a logging and sawmilling hub. This industry attracted workers and their families, who built lives around the Upper and Lower Shoal Harbour rivers. Soon, more families from Hants Harbour, Old Perlican, and other parts of Trinity Bay arrived, establishing communities in the various coves that now make up Clarenville.
These smaller coves, stretching from east to west, each have their own early settlement stories:
Russells Cove: Later known as Baggs' after Joseph Baggs.
Moores': Settled by the Moore and Mores families.
Lower Shoal Harbour: Home to the early Tilley and Summers families.
Dark Hole: First settled by the Balsoms, Pearce Vardys, and Seawards.
Brook Cove: Where the Burseys were the first settlers.
Broad Cove: The Strongs and Adeys were the initial inhabitants.
Red Beach: One of the earliest permanently settled areas after Lower Shoal Harbour, with Mr. Levi Stanley as its first settler.
Petleys Brook: Named after the Petley family, including the beloved Anglican Mission Priest, Rev. Petley.
The origin of the name Clarenville has a few intriguing stories. The name first appeared as "Clarenceville" at the small railroad station near Brook Cove.
One account suggests that during a railway inspection, then-Prime Minister Sir William Whiteway visited the station. Miss Jennie Tilley, the Station Agent and Telegraph Operator, was the daughter of an early settler. Later, her father, Joseph Tilley, a friend of Sir William, met the Prime Minister at the station and suggested the area needed a name and a Post Office. Sir William reportedly replied that he would arrange for a Post Office and suggested "Clarenceville."
Another similar story attributes the same question to Mr. James Reid, another friend of Sir William's. Regardless, "Clarenceville" appeared on the station house soon after. While the exact reason for the name isn't definitively known, it's rumoured that Sir William had a son named Clarence. The name was later shortened to the present-day Clarenville. The station was eventually moved, with Miss Jennie Tilley continuing as Station Agent, Telegraph Operator, and Postmaster.
In 1891/1892, the government of Newfoundland Prime Minister Sir William Whiteway amalgamated the settlements of Lower Shoal Harbour, Dark Hole, Brook Cove, Broad Cove, and Red Beach into one entity. Named Clarenceville after the Duke of Clarence, the name evolved into Clarenville by 1901. Shoal Harbour remained a separate community until 1994, when both towns merged to form the Town of Clarenville.
Long before its official name, Clarenville's natural advantages made it a vital transportation hub. Its deep, sheltered harbour and calm waters were ideal. Before the railway, sailing packets regularly brought passengers and mail, terminating in Clarenville. Mail was then transported by couriers to other regions.
Clarenville's prime location has always been its greatest asset. The town rose to prominence as a transportation hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the arrival of the Reid Newfoundland Trans-Island Railway in 1891 and the Bonavista Peninsula Branch Line in 1911.
Clarenville's sheltered harbour and deepwater port further fueled its growth, making it a center for industry with companies like Colas Newfoundland Ltd. and the Clarenville Shipyard contributing to the local economy.
In 1951, Clarenville was incorporated as a town, solidifying its future as a major service center. Its strategic location was further cemented in 1956 when it became the North American landfall for the first transatlantic telephone cable (TAT-1). The Trans-Canada Highway, built in the mid-1960s, solidified Clarenville's position as a service center for the surrounding region. Today, Clarenville is within a two-hour drive of over 70% of the province's population.
The 1970s saw Clarenville's fortunes tied to the nearby Come By Chance refinery. Its opening spurred initial growth, but the refinery's bankruptcy and closure in 1976 significantly impacted the town.
The 1980s brought recovery with government investment in new offices and a hospital, and the reopening of the Come By Chance refinery.
The 1990s and 2000s ushered in another period of growth. Most importantly, in February 1994, Shoal Harbour and Clarenville merged, aiming for better services and opportunities. The town's growth continued due to economic opportunities from the construction of the Bull Arm site, located just east of Clarenville. This massive facility became the center for building offshore oil platforms like Hibernia and Hebron, further solidifying Clarenville's role in the province's oil and gas industry.
Today and Into the Future
Today, with a population of approximately 7,000, Clarenville stands as the largest town in the region and the second fastest-growing town in the province (behind the Town of Paradise). Its diverse economy, which includes industries like oil and gas and high tech, reflects its resilience and adaptability over the years. As we move forward, opportunities in offshore technology, Information technology, wind and renewable energy, and experiential tourism abound - and we are preparing to capture these opportunities.
Until 1994, Shoal Harbour was a separate community and the oldest community in the upper end of Random Sound. Shoal Harbour and Clarenville grew together as a major service centre through the 1900s. On February 15, 1994 ,Shoal Harbour and Clarenville amalgamated to become the Town of Clarenville
Clarenville is a relatively new town, by Newfoundland standards. In the early 1890s some of the people in one of the small communities in the area asked the Prime Minister, Sir William Whiteway, how they could get a post office. He said it was necessary for some of the smaller places to join together to form a larger centre in order to warrant putting a post office there. As a result, five communities, Lower Shoal Harbour, Dark Hole, Brook Cove, Broad Cove and Red Beach, amalgamated to form Clarenville.
The new community was first named by the Prime Minister as Clarenceville. It is possible that it was named in honour of the Duke of Clarence, oldest son of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), who died in 1892 about the same time as the community was being formed. (Some sources have said that the community was named for a son of Whiteway, but Whiteway had no son by that name.) By the time of the first census after amalgamation, in 1901, however, the town’s name appeared as Clarenville and has remained so.
CLARENVILLE HISTORY VERSION 2
The history of Clarenville is a rich tapestry of industry, innovation, and community development. Initially settled by loggers, farmers, and trappers in the late 1840s, Clarenville's strategic location and abundant natural resources paved the way for its growth and prosperity.
The Tilley family played a significant role in establishing Clarenville's early economy with their sawmills along the Shoal Harbour and Lower Shoal Harbour rivers. Other founding families, such as the Cowans and Wisemans, joined them in transforming the region into a major logging and sawmilling area. This industrial activity attracted settlers, leading to the establishment of various services and the official naming of Clarenville in 1891.
The arrival of the Reid Newfoundland Trans-Island Railway in 1891 further solidified Clarenville's importance as a transportation hub. The railway terminal served as a pivotal point for the region, and the opening of the Bonavista Peninsula Branch Line in 1911 enhanced Clarenville's status as a central hub.
Clarenville's sheltered harbour and deepwater port also played a crucial role in its industrial development. Companies like Colas Newfoundland Ltd. and the Clarenville Shipyard contributed to the town's economy, with notable projects like the construction of the Splinter Fleet during World War II.
In the realm of telecommunications, Clarenville made history as the North American landfall for the first telephone link between North America and Europe (TAT-1) in 1956. This connection, along with the establishment of TAT-2 in 1959, showcased Clarenville's global significance during the Cold War era.
The town's strategic location was further solidified with the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway in the mid-1960s, cementing its role as a major service center for surrounding communities.
As Clarenville continued to grow, it became an incorporated town in 1951, with the formation of its first Town Council. The amalgamation of Clarenville and Shoal Harbour in 1994 marked a significant milestone in the town's governance and development.
Today, Clarenville stands as the largest town in the region and a vital provincial service hub. Its diverse economy, which includes industries like oil and gas and high tech, reflects its resilience and adaptability over the years. From its humble beginnings as a logging community to its current status as a thriving town, Clarenville's history is a testament to the determination and ingenuity of its residents.
CLARENVILLE’S FOUNDER - BIOGRAPHY OF SCHOLAR JOHN TILLEY
John "Scholar John" Tilley
Born Apr 1786 in Hants Harbor, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland Colonymap
Husband of Elizabeth (Bursey) Tilley — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
DESCENDANTS descendants
Father of Martha (Tilley) Smith, Moses Tilley, Aaron Tilley, Ann Fanny (Tilley) Bremner, Joseph Tilley, Catherine Tilley and Deborah (Tilley) Summers
Died 9 Jul 1871 at age 85 in Shoal Harbour, Newfoundlandmap
John Tilley, often referred to as "Scholar" John Tilley, was a prominent figure in the founding and development of Clarenville and the surrounding area. Born in April 1786 in Hants Harbor, Trinity Bay, he was married to Elizabeth Bursey of Old Perlican and had a large family. He was recognized as one of the earliest Justices of the Peace licensed to perform marriages in Newfoundland, even officiating his own daughter's wedding.
Tilley was known for his industriousness and diverse skill set. He taught himself to read at the age of 26 and went on to learn Latin. In addition to his roles in education and law, he was involved in various occupations including fishing, farming, sawmill operation, fox farming, coopering, blacksmithing, and salmon canning. He was also recognized as a poet and postal waymaster.
One of his significant contributions was the establishment of a water-powered sawmill on the Shoal Harbour River around 1853, which facilitated the processing of wood from the surrounding area. He later ventured into salmon canning, pioneering the industry in Newfoundland. His canned salmon won acclaim at international exhibitions, earning him a bronze medal in London, England, in 1862.
Scholar John Tilley's legacy extended beyond business and industry. He was involved in community development, including the construction of the first church in Shoal Harbour, with assistance from his sons and son-in-law. His dedication to progress and innovation left a lasting impact on the region.
John Tilley passed away on July 9, 1871, and was laid to rest in the old Methodist cemetery on the shores of Shoal Harbour. His descendants, such as his son Joseph Tilley, continued to contribute to the growth and development of the area, carrying on his legacy of hard work and innovation.
Will of John Tilley
from Newfoundland will books volume 3 pages 438-439 probate year 1875
(This name is spelled Tilly and Tilley in the will and Tilley in the will index)
In re
John Tilley deceased.
In the name of God Amen. I John Tilly or Tilley of Old Perlican now at Upper Shoal Harbor Random Sound Planter being now in good health & of perfect mind & memory calling to mind the mortality of my body do give and dispose of my property in the following manner & form First I give and bequeath to Moses Tilly or Tilley my eldest son his legal heirs executors & assigns one fourth part of the claim use income and profits of my saw mill in upper Shoal Harbor aforesaid in Random Sound aforesaid with all the apparatus & appendages necessary to its operation such as roads & other conveniences for hauling floating & landing lumber & carrying off the same To my second son Aaren Tilly or Tilley I bequeath the same proportion of said saw mill with all the privileges as above written To my daughter Catherine I also give & bequeath the same proportion of said saw mill with the same privileges as to Moses Tilly or Tilley also to Aaran Tilly or Tilley The fourth & last quarter I reserve to the support & maintenance of my wife Elizabeth Tilly or Tilley should she outlive me then at her demise it shall be divided between my youngest daughter Deborah & John Tilly or Tilley my grandson
All my land westward of herons mountain shall be divided in the same proportion and to the same parties with the saw mill and its premises and that eastward of herons mountain aforesaid and delineated on a grant from Government shall be divided between Moses Tilly or Tilley aforesaid And Catherine my daughter aforesaid In the follow proportions Moses Tilly or Tilley is to have the use & management profits & income of two thirds of said land except that fishing room and other land at manpoint which I acknowledge To have given to Aaron Tilly or Tilley Heretofore and is not to be reckoned on this last division My houses stores & stages in Shoal Harbor & elsewhere I give the right of occupation or let for compensation to Moses Tilly or Tilley & his legal heirs executors & assigns for ever one third of the land between Manpoint and Herons Mountain of which I have bequeathed Moses Tilly two thirds of the income thereof I also bequeath Catherine plamen and her legal heirs executors & assigns the right of management profits and income of said land for ever My mathematical instruments & books First to be sold to pay my legal debts if any Thomas Smith and his present wife Martha at Hants Harbor I give the use & enjoyment of all my land and other property in that place for & during the period of their natural life Their sons by exhibiting a receipt of forty seven pounds currency from me the said John Tilly aforesaid my heirs executors or assigns after the signing of this will to occupy & enjoy my property in Hants Harbour they & their legal descendants for ever And I do hereby appoint my two eldest sons Moses Tilly or Tilley & Aaron Tilly or Tilley my sole executors of this my last will & testament and I also charge if either of these my said executors demise another be appointed by the living to fill his place so demised And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all & every other former testament will legacy bequest & executor attorney or attorneys by me in any way before named willed or bequeathed ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my last will & testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this eight day of June in the year of our lord eighteen hundred & sixty four
(LS) Signed sealed & declared by the said John Tilly as his last will & testament in the presence of us who in his presence & in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names, Thomas Godden, John Hunt.
Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar
Source: http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/tilley-john-3-438.shtml
AARON TILLEY LOOKOUT
The Legend of Aaron's Lookout is a tale deeply rooted in the history and exploration of Clarenville's wilderness. As recounted by Corwin Mills, the lookout derives its name from Aaron Tilley, an early trapper who ventured into the backcountry for weeks at a time during the fur trapping season. The Tilley family, renowned for their prowess in trapping, would embark on extensive journeys into the wilderness, traversing ponds and rugged terrain in search of game.
According to legend, Aaron Tilley, or perhaps his descendant Arch Tilley, established a trail that wound through the wilderness, leading from Tilley's Road up Long Run (behind the Quality Inn on the other side of the TCH), across open country near the Cunics, around Dark Hole Pond, and finally to the summit of Aaron's Lookout. This vantage point atop the lookout provided trappers like Aaron Tilley with a crucial perspective to orient themselves amidst the vast wilderness.
In the early 1970s, explorers such as Corwin Mills and his companions utilized this historic trail, skiing from the Trans-Canada Highway to Dark Hole Pond and beyond, guided by landmarks like the "Crooked Old Tree" and Musrat Pond. It was during one of these expeditions that they found themselves temporarily lost until they stumbled upon a small pond, beyond which rose Aaron's Lookout. From its summit, they were able to regain their bearings and navigate their way back to familiar territory.
The tale of Aaron's Lookout not only speaks to the resilience and resourcefulness of early trappers like Aaron Tilley but also serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and adventure that continues to draw individuals into the untamed wilderness of Clarenville.
ARCH TILLEY SNOWSHOE TRAIL
This trail was named in honour of one of Clarenville's backcountry pioneers. The Tilley family was very active in fur trapping and hence were always searching for new and better ways of accessing the back country. Arch Tilley was one of them. Around the year 1900, he developed a trail/route from what is now Tilley's road in Clarenville to the open "Prairie" country between Prairie Pond and Goose Pond. His route went up "Long Run" (behind St Judes Hotel), along by the Cunics hills, and north across Gull Pond and the face of the White Hills, to the southern shoreline of Dark Hole Pond. From the northwest shoreline his trail continued westward up the wooded valley, passed by the landmark Crooked Old Tree, known back then as the Flat Top Juniper, across a few small ponds and down Powder Horn Hill to the barrens.
By the 1920's Loggers were also using this route to access the timber stands around Prairie Pond. When local skiers began to explore the back country in the mid-seventies, they often followed this route. The Arch Tilley Snowshoe Trail runs parallel to the original route, and in fact utilizes parts of what seems to be the original trail. Most of the wooded sections, however, have become brooks over the years, and the ponds and barrens beyond are not ideal snowshoe country, hence the rerouting.
The current mix of wooded trails, and short stretches of bog and barren provides a safe, scenic, and enjoyable way of accessing Prairie Pond Cabin and the Prairie Country beyond. This trail will provide a reminder of our ancestors who developed this and other routes without the benefit of maps, aerial photos and GPS.
July 10 1951 - Municipal Government comes to Clarenville
Although Clarenville was officially named In 1892 with the amalgamation of Lower Shoal Harbour, Dark Hole (or Dark Harbour). Brook Cove, Broad Cove, Red Beach, it was not until 1951 when the Town of Clarenville became a municipality when it was incorporated under the then Local Government Act.
After Newfoundland entered the Canadian Confederation in 1949, a new Local Government Act imposed uniform duties and powers on all municipalities. Local government expanded during the 1950s. Financial incentives such as shared funding, loan guarantees and legislative powers of taxation coupled with the need for services convinced the people of Clarenville that Incorporation was the route forward in securing Clarenville’s future.
On July 10, 1951, the first Town Council was formed and it comprised of Mayor Ernest Drover, Deputy Mayor Martin Bourne, Councillors G.A. Myers, Malcolm Tulk, George Vardy, Edgar Stanley and Boyce Smith. The then-separate municipality of Shoal Harbour was incorporated as a municipality in February 1973. Its first Town Council was comprised of Mayor Eric Butler, Deputy Mayor Harris Thistle, Councillors, Eli Dalton, William Sheppard, Rex Clarke, Bruce Coish and Merlin Mills. On February 15,1994, Clarenville and Shoal Harbour amalgamated into a single municipality.
Today, Clarenville is the largest town in the region and the second fastest-growing town in the province. Its diverse economy, which includes industries like oil and gas and high tech, reflects its resilience and adaptability over the years. From its humble beginnings as a logging community to its current status as a thriving town, Clarenville's history is a testament to the determination and ingenuity of its residents.
Chronology of Key Events in Clarenville's History
1822 - William Cormack's Cross Island Trek
1846 - Scholar John Tilley's Summer Home
1848 - Permanent Settlement
1891 - Clarenville Named
1891 - The Newfoundland Railway comes to town
1911 - The Bonavista Branch Line opened
1900-1950 - Steam Sawmills
1914-1918 - WW1
1933 Balbo Armada arrives in Clarenville
1933 - Electrification
1937 - Clarenville Colas Plant
1939-45 - WW2
1942 - Clarenville’s Shipyard
1943-1947 - The Splinter Fleet
1948 - Newfoundland Hardwoods
1951 - Municipal Governance (Clarenville)
1951 - Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 27
1952 - Hefferton Causeway
1956 - TAT1 Clarenville Telecommunications Hub
1957 - Mercer’s Marine
1961 - Forest Fire
1961 - Clarenville Hockey Players Involved in Plane Crash in St. Pierre
1961 - Clarenville’s Volunteer Fire Department Formed
1962 - Public Library
1963 - Shoal Harbour Causeway
1964/65 - Trans Canada Highway
1964/65 - Clarenville’s District Vocational
1965 - Clarenville Holiday Inn
1967 - Bare Mountain (Centennial) Star
1968 - Clarenville Coop
1970 - The Clarenville Shopping Centre (the Lower Mall)
1970-73 Come by Chance Refinery
1973 - Municipal Governance (Shoal Harbour)
1973 - Clarenville Nordic Ski Club
1974 - Manitoba Drive
1986 - Come by Chance Refinery Closure
1976 - Clarenville High School
1978 - UFO sighting over Random Island
1979 - Tilley’s Road Softball Field - Elizabeth Swan Park
1981 - Random Square Mall
1982 - Clarenville Correctional Facility
1983 - Boonie's Medals of Bravery
1983 - Balbo Elementary
1984 - Clarenville’s New Library
1986 - G.B. Cross Hospital
1987 - Come by Chance Refinery Reopens
1988 - Railway Closure
1988-1989 - White Hills Ski Resort Opens
1991 - The Rotary Trail
1994 - Together as One - Amalgamation
1994 - NL Winter Games
1995 - New Shoal Harbour Bridge
1997 - Government Services Centre
1999 - Clarenville.net - The Clarenville Town Webpage is Born
2000 - The Star is Reborn
2000 - Save White Hills
2001 - The Rotary Marina
2001 - The 50th Anniversary of Clarenville
2003 - First Seniors Focused Development
2004 - Shoal Harbour Drive
2004 - Targa
2006 - Walmart Superstore
2006 - New Water Treatment Plant
2006 - IEEE Recognize TAT 1
2006 - Locomotive 900 Relocated to Clarenville
2006 - Arts Under the Stars Summer Concert Series
2009 The New Clarenville Events Centre
2009 - Clarenville wins Tidy Towns
2009 - Dr. Albert O’Mahony Centre Opens
2009, 2010 & 2018 The Clarenville Caribous Capture the Herder Trophy
2010 - Hurricane Igor
2012 - Kraft Celebration Tour
2013 - Crest Bus/Age Friendly
2014 - Clarenville Hosts NL Winter Games
2015 - Clarenville Hosts the Allan Cup
2016 - Boonie's Shave for ALS
2019 - Re-Opening of Elizabeth Swan Park
2020 - New Clarenville Fire Hall
2022 - New Clarenville Town Hall
2022 - 70 years and counting: Clarenville
2023 - White Hills: Mackenzie Top Peaks Challange Winner
2023 - The Shoal Harbour Causeway Bridge Replaced
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Short History of Clarenville
Photos of Historic Clarenville