The origin of Pouch Cove dates back to 1611, when fisherman from British ships, together with carpenters and other artisans, established a settlement.[1] The town was officially incorporated in 1970.[1] The post office was established in 1975. The Town has a Council consisting of a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and five councillors.[2] The town's motto is "first to see the sun," referring to the sunrise in North America.[3]
In 1987 the municipality was amalgamated with the smaller rural settlement of Shoe Cove.[1]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Pouch Cove had a population of 2,063 living in 823 of its 872 total private dwellings, a change of -0.3% from its 2016 population of 2,069. With a land area of 58.24 km2 (22.49 sq mi), it had a population density of 35.4/km2 (91.7/sq mi) in 2021.[4]
Clifton Lodge
Clifton Lodge (Society of United Fisherman’s Lodge #42) was designated as a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2022.[5] The Lodge was founded in 1900 and received its name of “Clifton” after James A. Clift, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge located in St. John’s.[5] The original lodge was replaced by the current building, built between 1924 and 1926.[6]
