Shoe Cove
The Town of Shoe Cove, with a population of just over 100 residents, is a small fishing village located approximately five minutes drive from La Scie. The layout and landscape of the town resembles a shoe, from which the community name comes. In the centre of the town is a large pond surrounded by homes of the residents. A short gravel road of just a couple hundred yards leads down to the shoreline where the community dock and fishing infrastructure is located. Shoe Cove was once located within the boundaries of what was known as the French Shore, which gave fishing rights to French fishermen under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. In 2004, as part of the celebrations recognizing the French presence in Newfoundland, a French bread oven was constructed in the town. Once a year this is fired up by residents to produce a batch of bread or even pizza as part of the town's municipal holiday celebrations.
For those who enjoy rugged hiking there is an unmaintained hiking trail which takes one over the surrounding hills to the nearby site of Shoe Cove Bight which up until 60 - 70 years ago was a community in its own right.
Tilt Cove
The town of Tilt Cove is located 12km from La Scie. Originally founded as a fishing town around 1813, it became the site of Newfoundland's first mine in 1864 and produced copper until 1920 when the mine closed. The mine reopened from 1957 to 1967. Today remnants of the mining infrastructure, mine shaft, and mine tailings are still plainly visible.
Tilt Cove's cemetery is the site of a memorial monument to the tragic victims of a sailing disaster. In December of 1867 the freight/passenger sailing ship, Queen of Swansea, ran aground at Gull Island just a few miles off Tilt Cove. All 11 crewmembers and passengers perished.
In the early 1900s Tilt Cove reached its peak population of about 1500. Today, it is actually recognized as the smallest town in Canada. It has decreased to a population of 4.
Brent's Cove
Brent's Cove is a small fishing community of 157 (2016), located just 15 minutes from La Scie. This beautiful little community is surrounded by high rising cliffs and rolling hills. Old fishing wharves and stages are still used by locals. It's a great place to observe fishing boats entering and leaving the harbour or to have a chat with friendly residents.
Harbour Round
Harbour Round is a small fishing community located only 2 - 3 minutes from Brent's Cove. With a population of 188 (2016) the town has a walking trail and a lookout. Fishing premises can be viewed along the water's edge throughout the town.
Snook's Arm
The resettled community of Snook's Arm is located about 20 minutes from La Scie. In the late 1800s Snook's Arm was the site of the first whaling factory in North America. Throughout the 1900s it owed its existence to the cod fishery. However, with the decline in the fishing socks as well as a dwindling population, Snook's Arm residents accepted the government's resettlement package in 2017. The town is still accessible via the original dirt road and several former residents maintain their old family homes as cottages. Some fishermen use the infrastructure that still exists there for the seasonal fishery of species such as lobster, cod, squid, and lumpfish.
Round Harbour
The abondoned town of Round Harbour was once a thriving fishing community. The peak population was 114 in 1951. In the 1960s, however, Round Harbour's isolation led many people to relocate to such larger centres as Baie Verte and La Scie. The decline in population made a local school impractical and difficulties encountered in providing bus service in the winter months was an inducement for young families to leave. By 1991 the winter population of Round Harbour was less than 20. Today, no one lives in the community, however, some former residents do maintain properties there as cottages for summer time use. Currently the gravel road is poorly maintained but it is passable with care. For anyone who would like a prime example of what old Newfoundland was like this is a must see.
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CAUTION: Extreme care is required when walking around here as much of the walkways are in disrepair.
Nipper's Harbour
Nipper's Harbour, approximately a 20 minute drive from La Scie, was settled in the early 1800s. For about 200 years the inshore cod fishery was the mainstay of the town, however, in more recent years Nipper's Harbour has suffered the same fate as many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. With the closure of the inshore fishery in 1992, an economic and social death toll rang. The removal of the primary livelihood resulted in a decline in the population to 190 by 2001. Today, with only about 50 residents remaining, Nipper's Harbour is being considered as a possible town for resettlement. .