A fishing community was established on the island in the 1800s, and at one time there were about 300 residents living primarily at two locations: Mercer's Cove and Forward's Cove. In 1865 a 30-foot high lighthouse was built on the island.[1] A new lighthouse was built by 1924.[2]
The entire village was resettled off the island in the 1950s.[3][4]
In 1964, an experimental attempt to introduce bison to Newfoundland was made, using Brunette Island as a test site; the attempt did not prove successful;[5][6][7] the rocky landscape and sheer cliffs on the island were significantly different from the wide plains to which the bison were adapted.[8]
With more success, wildlife biologists continued to use Brunette as a site for wildlife observation and a breeding ground for Arctic hare, caribou, ptarmigan, and moose.[8] The lack of large predators on the island allowed the populations to expand as far as food resources would allow.[9] At times the island has been opened to hunters.[10][11]
From October 12–23, 2016, Mack McGowen, a native of Tyler, Texas, lived alone on Brunette Island and streamed the experience live on Facebook in a documentary titled "Castaway Live."[12]
Mercer Head on Brunette Island continues to be the site of a navigational light.[13]
