We were given the challenge to expose some details about our hometown. Well, my hometown is actually Jen's (IIG's Design Team Member) hometown too! Only thing is I only had some pictures from a winter walk in the woods behind the house I grew up in. But, since I moved recently out of the United States. I have been researching a bit about my new hometown in Canada. I have been researching since my first visit to Bay Bulls, Newfoundland. It is the hometown of my husband who was born in the US but raised in Bay Bulls since he was about 2 years old. I had a good sarcastic laugh one day when my husband and I were driving back in from "out the road." Bay Bulls is located about 30 minutes from the Capital of Newfoundland, which is St. John's. "Out The Road" is a saying in our area for explaining that your going into St. John's. Since there is one major road that goes "out the road" or in the other direction "Up the Shore."
I have to explain for you to get the sarcastic part of my little chuckle of that day. I have to first say there is a bunch of history here!
So, on our way back from out the road. We come to the welcome sign for Bay Bulls, since this challenge was fresh in my mind. I took more notice of another detail on the sign. The slogan or motto....our history runs deep! So, I turn to my husband and say, "Bay Bulls - our history runs deep....So deep it's buried!"
Please any locals take this with a grain of salt! I have visited Bay Bulls since 2004 and I am amazed at the history that is here...it's just that you will find it if your willing to dig it up!
With that said...The history/story/life of Bay Bulls allowed me to create 3 pages and there is still more I wanted to include!
Here are the details that you will not be able to see from the pictures and my journaling.
Bay Bulls is one of the oldest communities in North America and the earliest know English place name in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Appearing on a map drawn by Thomas Hood in 1592.
Bay Bulls harbor was first used by European fisherman in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. By 1635 Englishmen were spending the winter in Bay Bulls.
In a 150 year span, Bay Bulls was the site of numerous conflicts between European nations. Raids, looting, pillaging, burning of structures and immediate rebuilding was the way in that time period.
After these battles some now historical landmarks were left. A British frigate, The HMS Sapphire, now can be seen in the harbor during low tide and in the logo of the town. Also, declared as the 1st Newfoundland and Labrador underwater marine historic site.
Roman Catholics and Protestants were the majority faiths. Both churches were burned in the 1700's. The Roman Catholic church was rebuilt immediately by 1820's a priest visited regularly but not until 1890 was a church built and still stands today. At the gates stands pieces of those historical landmarks left from battles. Cannons left over from battles with the French serve as pedestals for statues of the Saints, which gave way to the famed "Canonized Saints of Bay Bulls."
The harbor is a very busy place; between boat tours for whale watching and a ecological bird preserve, fishermen coming and going to the rich fishing grounds of the Grand Banks and fleets of ships coming in for servicing the oil rigs.
Bay Bulls is the beginning of a scenic drive called, The Irish Loop and part of a 540 km coastal hiking experience called the East Coast Trail. The trail links 32 communities together and leads to two more landmarks in Bay Bulls; the Bay Head Lighthouse and The Spout, a natural wave-driven geyser. Lastly, is a memorial that was erected for fishermen who were lost at sea during the same storm that was made in a movie, "The Perfect Storm." Bay Bulls was the departure point and return port for their boat.
Thanks for reading and look forward to my 1st trip out to The Spout hopefully coming this winter!
