Brigus - Newfoundland and Labrador

Route 60

Coordinates: 47.5302° N, 53.2315° W

The name "Brigus" comes from the "Brickhouse" which was the name of an old town in England. As one of Newfoundland's great heritage of old historic settlements, Brigus stands out as one of those in the forefront. It counts among its settlers, pioneers from England, Ireland and Wales. Brigus' history dates back to around 1612, when John Guy (famous for the Town of Cupids) sold half of the Harbour to the Spracklin family. At this time Brigus was mostly settled by people from England, Ireland and Wales.

Brigus is located approximately 80 km west of St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland, and is accessible via Route 70-A just 18 km from the Trans Canada Highway (TCH). Brigus is central to most of the communities in scenic Conception Bay. Come visit the many historic sites and have a stroll along the winding, narrow streets!

Nestled between hills overlooking the sea, its beauty has been captured by artists and photographers the world over

Brigus became incorporated on July 21st, 1964 and its council consists of 6 councillors and a mayor. It has its own Town Recreation Center and fully trained Fire Department. It is the home of Newfoundland's first and only true Blueberry Festival, held each year in August.

The birthplace of Captain Robert A. Bartlett, the master mariner of arctic fame has immortalized the town in the annals of history. His former home, Hawthorne Cottage, is a National Historic Site.

The town also boasts a reconstructed Stone Barn Museum, using all the stone from the original stonehouse. It stands as a tribute to the town's history. The Tunnel through solid rock on the waterfront, built in 1860 under the supervision of John Hoskins, a Cornish miner, provided a deep water berth for the Bartlett sailing ships.

As you walk through our shaded, winding, ancient streets, take a step back in time and be reminded of an era long past, but not lost in our beautiful town. Stops along the way will let you visit our historic churches, view homes built almost 200 years ago. See the site of "The Vindicator", where the Brigus newspaper was printed at the turn of the century, the Convent of Mercy, built in 1860, the Orange Lodge, the Jubilee Club (now the library), the meeting place of the "Merchant Princes of Brigus" from the late 1800's to the mid 1900's.

We invite you to visit our town, relax, stroll our streets, admire our large trees, visit Craft Shops, have an Afternoon Tea or stay for dinner at one of our restaurants , enjoy a weekend at one of the "Bed and Breakfast" homes, among the finest on the Island.

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