Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland and Labrador

Not to be confused with Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Stephenville Crossing
Town
Stephenville Crossing railway station in 1965.
Stephenville Crossing railway station in 1965.
Nickname: 
'crossing' 'xing' or 'zing'
Stephenville Crossing is located in Newfoundland
Stephenville Crossing
Stephenville Crossing
Location of Stephenville Crossing in Newfoundland
Coordinates: 48°31′N 58°25′W / 48.517°N 58.417°W / 48.517; -58.417
Country Canada
Province Newfoundland and Labrador
Government
 • MayorLisa Lucas
Area
[1]
 • Total80.8 km2 (31.20 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total1,634
 • Density55.1/km2 (143/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-3:30 (Newfoundland Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-2:30 (Newfoundland Daylight)
Area code709
Highways Route 460
Route 461
Route 490
Websitehttp://www.thetownofstephenvillecrossing.com/

Stephenville Crossing (2021 population: 1,634) is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is on the island of Newfoundland at the easternmost limit of Bay St. George.[2]

History

The settlement derives its name from the Newfoundland Railway, which ran through the community on its way from Port aux Basques to Corner Brook.

The Hanson Memorial Highway was constructed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) to link the railway line at Stephenville Crossing with Harmon Field, which was under construction on the other side of a hill to the north, in Stephenville. Later, the USAAF built its own railway line from Stephenville Crossing to Stephenville.

Since the air base was constructed, Stephenville Crossing has functioned more or less as a suburb of Stephenville but there is a ten-minute car drive between both towns.

The 1988 abandonment of the railway in Newfoundland by CN resulted in the last train running through Stephenville Crossing to St. George's (return) on June 6, 1990.

Geography

Stephenville Crossing is on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland within Division No. 4.[1] It is part of an area referred to as Bay St. George.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Stephenville Crossing had a population of 1,634 living in 751 of its 826 total private dwellings, a change of -4.9% from its 2016 population of 1,719.[1] With a land area of 31.07 km2 (12.00 sq mi), it had a population density of 52.6/km2 (136.2/sq mi) in 2021.[3]

Attractions

Stephenville Crossing has amenities such as a four-pump gas station, a federal post office, two pharmacies, a grocery store, a convenience store, two building supplies stores, a volunteer fire department, a K-8 elementary school (including a pre-school program), and a bar.

It also has a medical clinic with a family doctor, a provincial long term care centre and a search and rescue unit. The Barachois Search and Rescue is active in assisting authorities in water rescues and finding missing persons.

The government-ran long-term care centre called The Bay St.George Long-Term Care Centre opened in 1976 (expanded in the mid 1980s), with 114 beds offering complete and total care to residents living with diminished capabilities.[4]

Education

St. Michael's Elementary School is a K-8 school off West Street that educates around 150 pupils. Facilities include a science lab, an art room, a music room, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria. It was officially opened in December 1976.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions, census subdivisions (municipalities) and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Newfoundland and Labrador)". Statistics Canada. February 7, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Stephenville Crossing". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, vol.5, p.304-305.
  3. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Newfoundland and Labrador". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "Bay St. George Long Term Care Centre | Western Health".

48°31′N 58°25′W / 48.517°N 58.417°W / 48.517; -58.417