Bonne-Espérance, Quebec

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Coordinates: 51°23′N 57°40′W / 51.383, -57.667
Municipalité de Bonne-Espérance
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Côte-Nord
Constitution	January 1st, 1990
Government
- Mayor	Lionel Roberts
Area ^[1]
- Land	646.73 km² (249.7 sq mi)
Population (2006)^[1]
- Total	1,200
- Density	1.3/km² (3.4/sq mi)
Time zone	AST (UTC-4)
Postal code	G0G 2P0
Area code(s)	418

Bonne-Espérance is a municipality on the Lower North Shore of Quebec. It is comprised of 3 small fishing Villages being, St Paul's River, Old Fort Bay and Middle Bay. The primary language of these villages are English.

St. Paul's River

The largest community in the municipality of Bonne-Esperance, Saint-Paul's River derives it's name from Amador Godefroy, sieur de Saint-Paul, the first French nobleman with rights to fishing, hunting and fur trading in the area. Situated at the mouth of the 550 kilometre river that bears the same name, the area was as know back then as it is know for it's natural riches. Following the British conquest of New France, the concession was passed onto Phillip and Nathaniel Lloyd in 1774 and later onto Louis David Chevalier, Nathaniel Lloyd's adoptive son.

John Goddard, one of the wealthiest men on the Coast, acquired the post in 1825. Then came numerous from the British colony of Newfoundland such as the Buckles, Dunns, Keats, Roberts, Spingles and Thomas.

The history of the area is as diverse as it's natural richness. Actually, Saint-Paul's River is the only remaining settlement of a series of several fishing outposts in the immediate area. Originally, people lived on the outer islands such as Bonne-Esperance, Caribou and Esquimaux Islands. In fact it was one the first settlers on Bonne-Esperance Island who may have achieved the most notable feet in local history, the invention of the Cod Trap. This revolutionary method of catching codfish changed the fishing industry on the east coast forever. As of 1871, "Bossy" Whiteley's invention was so popular and effective that fisherman would have to change their equipment and craft in order to accommodate the larger catches and was still in use recently throughout Maritime Canada until the demise of the inshore ground fishery.

Today Saint-Paul's River is a renowned salmon fishing destination. Also, the snow crab has replaced the cod fish as the main product of the local fishing industry Access by road

Saint-Paul's River is situated about 60 kilometres west of Blanc-Sablon along the 138 provincial highway where a ferry crosses from Saint-Barbe's, Newfoundland on a daily basis running from May to January. Landmarks and historical sites

The first school on the Lower North Shore was built in Saint-Paul's River by the Canadian Foreign Missionary Society. The schools first teacher was Miss Jane Brodie of Montreal. To this day the hill situated near her home at that time is still known as "Miss Brodies Hill".

Bonne Esperance Island, or "Boney" as it is locally called, was the setting for the most revolutionary invention of it's time, the Cod trap. It was also the setting for the Whiteley family manor, one of the most beautiful dwellings in the area around that time.

Remains and artifacts found on Esquimaux Island corroborate stories that it was once the site of a large encounter between the Inuit and the French allied Montagnais native groups. A local tour operator offers tours to the islands. As was the case with many such encounters along the Coast, the Inuit population was defeated and forced to retreat to more remote northern territory.

The romantic tale of Lady Marguerite de la Roque and her ill fate is attributed to a few such places as Caribou Island. It is locally said that she was abandoned on Ile de la Demoiselle, also know as Caribou Island. Also, Caribou Island is the site of the first permanent church mission on the Coast. Attractions

Near Saint-Paul's River, a lookout and picnic sites with an impressive panoramic view as been constructed along the 138 provincial highway. From this unique vantage point, one can see the entire community of nearby Saint-Paul's River, view the outer island archipelagoto the south, follow the mighty Saint-Paul's River inland to the north as far as the eye can see, while letting you catch a glimpse of communities such as Old-Fort Bay to the west, and Bradore Bay and Lourdes de Blanc-Sablon several kilometres to the east.

Arriving in Saint-Paul's River, The Whiteley Museum presents artifacts from many of the former inhabitants of the area as well as relating the life of William Henry Whiteley III, the inventor of the Cod Trap. Several pictures and artifacts from the Bonne-Esperance era are on display along with a detailed scaled model of the settlement on "Boney". The museum and visitor centre is open from May to October daily.

In the centre on the community nestled atop a small hill is a monument which commemorates veterans who participated in both world wars. Community Events

   * Winter : Hockey Tournaments, Dart Tournaments, Saint-Patrick's Day tea, winter Carnival.
   * Summer : Canada Day Celebration, Softball tournament, Ladies day festivities.
   * Fall : Fall Bazaar, Veteran's Day celebrations, Christmas festivities.

Old Fort Bay

The name Old Fort is said to be derived from ruins of fortifications built in the vicinity by Augustin Legardeur, Le Sieur de Courtemanche, a French fur trader and former French military officer. Courtemanche traded with local Montagnais for fur while running a small seal fishery. The fort was said to have been destroyed by invading Inuit who clashed regularly with the colonising europeens along the coast over traditional hunting and fishing grounds.

Today, Old Fort Bay, one of the three villages in the municipality of Bonne-Esperance, is a tranquil community situated at the western end of a XX kilometre portion of the provincial 138 highway beginning at the Quebec-Labrador border near Blanc-Sablon. Local inhabitants rely on the fishing industry. Many skilled outdorsmen from this town are known to work as guides and cooks during the summer months in remote outfitting camps. Most of the remaining population still practice the transhumance ritual every summer by migrating to the islands of the Old Fort archipelago.

First settling to the area began with the Courtemanche outpost in 1702. After being destroyed during the confrontation with the Inuit and the French later moved to the Bradore Bay area. During the late 1800's, many families first came from the Gaspe peninsula and then from Newfoundland and settled here, such as the MacDonalds, Robins, Fequets, Haywards, Wellmans, Woodlands and Buckles. As early as 1825, Englishman John Goddard was said to have lived here but then moved to nearby Saint-Paul’s River. Landmarks and historical sites

It is said that French explorer Jacques Cartier landed at Port-Saint-Servan, just west of the present day Old Fort community at the mouth of the Old Fort River and planted a cross. This event was said to have taken place a full month before the now famous Gaspe landing.

Also, the location of the 16th century Breton fishing capital of Brest is believed to be at the Old Fort site as well.

Many artifacts such as weapons and bullets have been unearthed around the community and corroborate many of the speculations regarding the Courtemanche settlement and early Inuit and Montagnais confrontation. Attractions

The Dog Island Cultural Centre is situated on the island bearing the same name which emanates from a rock formation resembling a sleeping dog. Tours can be arranged during the summer months. Community Events

Spring: Hockey tournament, winter Carnival, Church sales and darts tournaments

Middle Bay

In the 16th century, Middle Bay hosted hundreds of whalers from the Basque countries in the bay of Biscay along the border between France and Spain who came to the Straits of Belle-Isle to hunt for whales. Inshore, they would build small dwellings and working areas know as tryworks where they would render the whale blubber into oil that would be barrelled or coopered and would go on to light most of the lanterns, furnaces and stoves throughout Europe at that time.

Near the end of the 20th century, Middle Bay is a small fishing community situated at midpoint between the larger communities of Saint-Paul’s River, 22 kilometres to the west, and Lourdes de Blanc-Sablon, some 25 kilometres to the east along the 138 provincial highway.

In 1849, Joseph Morency settled here and was soon followed by the immigration of Atwoods, Jones and Etheridges from Newfoundland. The Lavallee family arrived here from Blanc-Sablon. Today most of the community bears the Lavallee last name.

Landmarks and historical sites

A small road leaves the 138 highway just outside of Middle Bay were you can visit the site where numerous artifacts such as red tiles have been discovered. These red tiles are characteristic of Basque whaling outposts.

In 1853, James Burke operated a seal fishing oupost out of Belles-Amours Bay. Although the name Belles amours can be traced as far back as the 16th century and can be seen on early map from that time period in variations such as Belsamont, the name Belles Amours, which means beautiful love in French, would seem to lead local inhabitants from this part of the coast to conclude that this tiny harbour was the place where Lady Marguerite de la Roque and her lover, after being marooned on Caribou Island, then cam ashore and lived there happily ever after.

Along a forty-five minute hiking trail just west of Middle Bay, one can walk to a local summer destination known as Five Leagues. Inuit, Basque and local fisherman have all come and gone to this area leaving in their wake artifacts attesting to their presence and hard work. Today, visitors can witness several species of sea birds and migrating birds Attractions

Community Events

Spring: Hockey tournament, winter Carnival, Church sales and darts tournaments.