The town derives its name from Deer Lake and is situated at the outlet of the upper Humber River at the northeastern end of the lake. It is contiguous with two smaller hamlets, Nicholsville and Spillway.
History
The first settlers in the area arrived from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in 1864. Originally loggers and trappers, the settlers later took up farming.
In 1922, a work camp was set up to support the pulp and paper industry in the form of the International Pulp and Paper Company. The camp would later become the town of Deer Lake. A formal townsite was constructed in 1925 and included a railway terminal, churches and a small hospital. The town was incorporated in 1950 with Phil Hodder as its first mayor.
Deer Lake Regional Airport, one of the busiest airports in the province, was built in 1955 and is one of the town's major employers. In 2004, the airport terminal was redesign was started, and completed in June 2007. The primary population that the airport serves is approximately 55,000. The airport serves people from Rocky Harbour to Corner Brook, as well as around Deer Lake.
An air raid siren, brought over from England during the construction of the hydro plant in the 1920s, is located at the plant and heard around town. The whistle blows at 7 and 8 AM, at noon and 1 PM, and at 5 and 6 PM. It is heard throughout the community from Monday to Saturday but not on Sunday.[4]
Name
The town was named by early settlers of the area. Caribou could be seen crossing the lake in huge quantities. The first Europeans who came to this area, having never before seen caribou called them 'deer'. However, 'deer' in older times could simply mean animal. The town was then named accordingly.
Deer Lake offers accommodation for tourists as well as restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores and gas stations. There is a stadium, swimming pool and a bowling alley in the Hodder Memorial Recreational Complex. St. Paul's United Church, a wooden church dating from 1955 and the modern Salvation Army building are worth a visit.
The town has two major trail systems: namely, the "Deer Lake Beach Trail," which extends to the north end of Deer Lake, and the Humber River Nature Trail that extends from Nicholsville Bridge to Deer Lake Airport.[5]
The town is often referred to as the Snowmobile Hub of Newfoundland and Labrador because it has the advantage of being located at the center of a network of groomed trails that lead to the deep powder and untouched vistas of the province[6]
The town is home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Annual Deer Lake Strawberry Festival, Thomas Amusements Fair, and The Deer Lake Winterfest.[7][8]
Demographics
In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Deer Lake had a population of 4,864 living in 2,139 of its 2,309 total private dwellings, a change of -7.3% from its 2016 population of 5,249. With a land area of 73.26 km2 (28.29 sq mi), it had a population density of 66.4/km2 (172.0/sq mi) in 2021.[2]
Climate
Deer Lake has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with moderately warm summers that are on the short side, with winters that are moderated by its proximity to a large body of water. With precipitation high year-round, Deer Lake receives plenty of snowfall in winters.
