History

North River is a picturesque community located on the east coast of Newfoundland on the Avalon Peninsula. The river forms the northwest boundary of the town and is a scheduled salmon river. The population of the town is presently under six hundred and live along the north side of the North River and along a short portion of the Conception Bay Highway.

North River was incorporated in 1964 and amalgamated with Halls Town in 1988.

Historically, what is now North River was known as North Gut. It is possible that the Gut and the Valley of North River as far inland as ‘The Pond That Feeds The Brook’ were early sites of winter homes for fishing communities on the Port de Grave Peninsula. Irish fishermen fro Port de Grave first settled North river and by 1840 there were enough settlers to justify the establishment of a Roman Catholic School and the first Roman Catholic Church was built in 1874. In 1857 the combined population of North River and Halls Town was 335, with the majority of Roman Catholic families living in North River and the majority of Protestants (notably the Hall family) living in Halls Town. St. George’s church was built in Halls Town in 1914. Each denomination has a cemetery.

In recent years North River has seen major growth in residential executive style housing. The town is serviced by septic systems and private wells. Garbage is collected by the town and fire protection service is provided by the Bay de Grave Regional Fire Department. Law enforcement service is provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

North River has a diverse labour force employed mostly outside the community - either in larger towns in Conception Bay/St. John’s or commenting to industrial construction sites in and out of province. North River provides an environment that supports high quality health and wellness and lifelong learning - a place where all individuals have opportunity to develop their full social, cultural and physical potential.

North River is a place you would love to call home.