Grand Manan & White Head


 
 
Community Profiles

The topography of the western side of Grand Manan Island is high cliffs with little access or protection from the sea, with the exception of Dark Harbour. As a result communities developed along the eastern shore of the island and on other islands in the archipelago. Through consolidation and other forces, most outer island communities have disappeared with the exception of White Head. In 1995 the municipal government of Grand Manan was reorganized and amalgamated into one village. However, the identity of each community still remains and is used as a guide to navigate through the island. White Head Island chose not to join the amalgamated village of Grand Manan and remains a Local Service Area.

| North Head | Castalia | Dark Harbour | Woodwards Cove | Grand Harbour |
| Ingalls Head | White Head | Seal Cove | Deep Cove | Offshore Islands |

 
 
NORTH HEAD

COMMUNITY PROFILE North Head is the largest community on the island, with a population of 700 people living in 255 homes. The majority of homes were built prior to 1946, with the next highest percentage built between 1961-70. The majority of the labour force (320) is engaged in fishing (28%), followed by retail trade (20%), manufacturing (16%), transportation (9%), and health and social services (8%). Some 89% (623) of the population belong to a religious denomination, with the five most enumerated being Wesleyan (43%), Anglican (25%), Baptist(17%), Pentecostal (7%) and Presbyterian (4%). (Data are from the 1991 census.) Bed and breakfasts, country inns, cottages, a motel and wilderness campground , restaurants, and stores are located in North Head.

CASTALIA and DARK HARBOUR

COMMUNITY PROFILE - With a population of 455, this is the "bedroom" community of the island, being the only one without an active fishermen's wharf. The majority of the 175 homes (43%) were built before 1946, with the next highest percentage (23%) being built between 1971-1980. There are many fine new homes in the area. Out of a work force of 235, the majority are employed in the fishery (38%), followed by retail trade (10%), manufacturing (10%), education (6%) and transportation (6%). More than 97% of the population claims a religious affiliation, the second-highest on the island, with the five most frequent being Baptist (50%), Wesleyan (19%), Pentecostal (12%), Anglican (8%) and Roman Catholic (6%). (Data are from the 1991 census.) Cottages are available to rent.

 

DARK HARBOUR - Dark Harbour on the western side of the island can be reached via the Dock Road from North Head, and Hill Road (also called the Back Road) from Castalia or Grand Harbour. A community of more than 200 people thrived at Dark Harbour in the 1800s; they worked in the lumber industry and later the herring fishery. Now only seasonal camps can be found rimming the "pond" including the breakwater with salmon aquaculture cages and a herring weir in the "pond" itself.

WOODWARDS COVE

COMMUNITY PROFILE - With a population of 185, this is the smallest and most closely-knit community on the island. The vast majority (71%) of the 70 homes here were built before 1946. The labour force of 100 is employed mainly in manufacturing (30%), retail trade(15%), health and social services (15%), fishing (10%), and education (10%). More than 97% (180) claim a religious affiliation, the same as Castalia, and the second-highest on the island. The five most reported denominations are Pentecostal (30%), Wesleyan (25%), Baptist (19%), Anglican (6%), and Roman Catholic (6%). (Data are from the 1991 census.) Cottages are available to rent.

GRAND HARBOUR and INGALLS HEAD

COMMUNITY PROFILE - The commercial and educational centre of the island, this community is second only to North Head in size, with a population of 600 people. There are 220 homes, the majority (77%) built before 1960. The work force of 295 is employed in a wide variety of occupations, with fishing (27%) being most popular, followed by manufacturing (19%), retail trade (15%), accommodation and food service (7%), education (5%), and wholesale trade (5%). Some 490 (82%) of the population claim a religious affiliation, with the five most cited denominations being Baptist (44%), Wesleyan (36%), Anglican (13%), Roman Catholic (5%), United Church (2%), and Lutheran (2%). (Data are from the 1991 census.) Cottages and restaurants can be found here.

WHITE HEAD ISLAND

COMMUNITY PROFILE - A world unto itself, this enchanting island has a permanent population of 220 souls living in some 70 homes, 43% built before 1946 and 28% before 1960. Out of a labour force of 70, 50 (71%) claim fishing for a livelihood, the highest of any community on Grand Manan. Amazingly, 100% of the population claim a religious affiliation, thus making White Head truly a place of superlatives. The vast majority are Baptist (91%), then Roman Catholic (4.5%) and Wesleyan (4.5%). White Head is an unincorporated area. (Data are from the 1991 census.) Bed and breakfast, cottages, campground , takeout, and general store are located on White Head Island.

SEAL COVE and DEEP COVE

COMMUNITY PROFILE - Seal Cove is the third largest community on the island with a population of 550; it is also the most picturesque. There are some 200 homes with 75% having been built before 1960. There is a labour force of about 240 led by the manufacturing sector (31%), fishing (13%), construction (8%), retail trade (8%), and other service industries (8%). Some 90% (500) claim a religious affiliation, with Baptist (44%) and Wesleyan (43%) predominating, followed by Roman Catholic (4%), Anglican (3%), and Pentecostal (2%). (Data are from the 1991 census.) Bed and breakfast, cottages, campground , restaurant, and general store  are located in this area.

OFFSHORE ISLANDS

CHENEY ISLAND - Located between Ross Island and White Head Island, this privately owned island can be used as a stepping stone between White Head, Ross and Grand Manan Islands at low water (see Ross Island). Aquaculture sites for Atlantic salmon can be seen from the northern shore. The power connection for White Head crosses the island. Access is by foot, four-wheel vehicle or boat.

GANNET ROCK - Visible from Southwest Head, Gannet Rock is nine miles out in the Bay and marks the most treacherous navigational area around Grand Manan. Numerous ledges, many covered at high tide, and strong currents and tide rips abound. When established in 1831, the light thrown by its beam made it one of the most powerful lighthouses in the world. Through the persistence of local fishermen and island residents, the lighthouse remained manned until 1996 although most of the equipment was automated. Helicopters would fly relief two-man crews to the island each month. The light keepers provided an essential link with local fishermen who regularly called about the weather, visibility, and sea conditions on the rich fishing grounds. In 1918, the crew of a four-masted schooner were rescued from their life boat after their ship was set ablaze by German sailors from a submarine plying the waters of the Bay near the end of World War I. Gannet Rock is accessible only by boat or helicopter.

GREAT DUCK ISLAND - An automated lighthouse shares this treeless island east of Ross Island with numerous birds and seals. It is accessible only by boat or helicopter. Two smaller islands, Low Duck and High Duck, are just to the north, before Long Island and frequently have seals hauled out on the rocks at low water. Salmon aquaculture sites lie off the western side of the Great Duck. The island is now privately owned.

KENT ISLAND - This island is located southwest of White Head Island and is the site of the BOWDOIN COLLEGE SCIENTIFIC STATION. The island was purchased by J. Sterling Rockefeller and eventually donated to Bowdoin College (of Maine) in 1935. Nesting Leach's storm-petrels, guillemots, tree swallows and savannah sparrows are currently the subjects of long-term study. Fog has also been a prime research topic; some of the most acidic fog ever recorded has been found here in recent years. It is accessible only by boat. Kent is one of three islands, the other two being Hay and Sheep Islands.  On Sheep Island the Fundy Bird Observatory is trying to restore a nesting colony of common terns.

LONG ISLAND - This is a long and narrow island south of North Head and across from Castalia marsh. This island once boasted a busy smoked herring industry. The only remaining structure is a large house. A feral flock of some 25-40 sheep was introduced by the current owners, and make their home on the island year round. Privately owned by a Massachusetts family, it is accessible only by boat. Aquaculture sites for Atlantic salmon lie just off its western shore.

MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND - This island's lighthouse guards the other end of the treacherous maze of shipping hazards in the Grand Manan archipelago. Machias Seal Island is popular with bird watchers since it is the nesting place of puffins, razorbills, terns, eiders, guillemots and storm-petrels. The Canadian Wildlife Service restricts the number of daily visits during nesting to reduce disruption of the birds. Whales, harbour porpoises and seals may be sighted en route to the Island. Tours are available from Seal Cove. Two light keepers are stationed here and are taken off every 28 days by Coast Guard helicopter and replaced by two more keepers. The ownership of this island is still disputed between Canada and the United States, a boundary dispute of which many are unaware.

NANTUCKET ISLAND - This privately owned island is located across from Woodwards Cove. Accessible only by boat, it is not recommended to land on the island because of the danger posed by the resident bull. Salmon aquaculture sites are located on the eastern side of the island.

ROSS ISLAND - Ross Island was the site of the first permanent settlement on Grand Manan in 1784. The island can be accessed by foot or four-wheel vehicle at low water from the Thoroughfare Road (Grand Harbour). Remember to check the tides before exploring the island. The remains of Fish Fluke Point (Grand Harbour Light) lighthouse and stone foundations from the loyalist settlers are clearly visible. On spring tides it is possible to hike to Ross Island and then to Cheney Island and finally White Head Island crossing exposed seafloor, but be forewarned that the going is not easy and you cannot dally. Aquaculture sites can be viewed from the northeastern side of the island. The entire island was purchased from a Maine lumber company by a New York businessman in 1984, sight unseen.

WOOD ISLAND - Houses and a church can be seen on the island as viewed from Seal Cove or Deep Cove. Consolidation during the 1950s saw people leave the island where few services could be provided for them. Many brought their houses with them to Grand Manan. Ghosts are said to abound on the island. The only access to the island is by boat. Ask at the Seal Cove breakwater if someone might be willing to take you by small boat to the island; this can usually be done for a modest fee or come for the annual reunion - see Calendar of Events.


 

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