At Summerford’s advent, it was a town focusing on the industries of fishing and logging. It was a relatively prosperous town within rural, coastal Newfoundland. It contained three churches, which were filled every Sunday, for religion was paramount in this community. Farming was also a staple, as most grew their own food and raised their own animals for meat.
During the global conflicts of World War I and World War II, almost any man capable left the town to aid the British side, as at this point, Newfoundland was still a colony of Britain.
In the early 1970s, the Town Hall was established, which also serves as a community hall, fire station, and holds the library. The residents fought against having a town hall built for many years, knowing it would mean more taxes, but in the end, it was established anyway. The local government consists of a mayor, deputy mayor and 6 to 8 councilors.
Summerford required a doctor, so a clinic/house was built for one, in the early 1960s. A full clinic was built later, in the late 1960s, because of population increases. The New World Island Clinic serves all of NWI, and is an extension of the Twillingate Hospital.
Summerford residents generally attend New World Island Academy, a K-12 school, located along Route 340.
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Summerford had a population of 805 living in 368 of its 432 total private dwellings, a change of -11.1% from its 2016 population of 906.[2] With a land area of 16.04 km2 (6.19 sq mi), it had a population density of 50.2/km2 (130.0/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
Economy
Summerford’s economy consisted of a mainly barter system for many years, and still implements it occasionally.
Historically there have been multiple regional schools, both elementary and high. In 2003 the, New World Island Academy was opened. It is a K-12 school, and its students are from all over the island.
Tourists supply local artists and crafts people, as well as tour guides, etc. with income during the summer months.
References
^Summerford contacts, Municipalities, Newfoundland and Labrador. URL accessed February 6, 2018.
^Canada 2016 Census: Community Profile, Statistics Canada. Accessed February 6, 2018
