Archive Stories

The Western Star was the prime source of news for residents of Bonne Bay for many years. The document found here transcribes samples of the types of news found in its pages. The paper was founded in 1900 in Curling, NL as a weekly newspaper. It became a daily paper in 1954. In 2017 it was sold to SaltWire Network, a newly formed parent company of The Chronicle Herald. Saltwire went into receivership in 2024. Learn more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SaltWire_Network. The

By Charlie Payne, Winter House Brook. Molasses Sticky Fingers, Wentzell's Truck, Great Fire of Bonne Bay - all stories to be found in this varied collection that will transport you to a simpler time in 'the good and beautfiful bay' - Bonne Bay.

A unique part of our musical history is documented by musician and band member Charlie Payne. This story chronicles the many iterations of the "Uncle Harry's Bar Band" band and its members from 1969 until the late 90s.

In "Growing Up in Winterhouse Brook", Charlie Payne reflects fondly on his childhood in our close-knit Bonne Bay community during the 1950s and 1960s. Through vivid memories of family, neighbours, fishing, music, school, seasonal traditions and everyday life, he captures a time when people had little materially, but shared a strong sense of belonging, independence and care for one another.

One calm July day in 1866, a three-masted vessel sailed into Bonne Bay. It was carrying the Governor of Newfoundland, Sir Anthony Musgrave, who was inspecting the south and west coasts of the island. Also on board was Frances Musgrave, his sister and a keen artist. She painted a series of watercolours of coastal landscapes and communities along the way from Hermitage to St. John Island.

The Kingpin of Trout River is what Ella Manuel called him. As she said, “There weren’t many jobs Taylor Parsons couldn’t turn his hand too, including pulling teeth in the absence of a nurse...

From Bonne Bay came one of the most famous American sailing captains of the early 20th century, Richard Quick.

Never Trust the Ice in the Tickle (Al Sheppard) Mr. Short, the Anglican Minister here, was going away to get married and Al Sheppard...

How Could He Forecast the Weather? (Walter Payne) One beautiful morning in the summer of 1952 or 53, while loading lumber in Daniel’s...

Holy St. Patrick (Freeman Sheppard) Edward Connors was a shoemaker in Woody Point around 1900. He wasn't known to be much of a drinker...

Escaping Customs (Walter Payne & Wilson Payne) Before 1949, Newfoundland was a colony of Great Britain, so any schooner that sailed...

Along the Shore From Birchy Head to Silver Point (Doug Halfyard, Cyril Hedge, The Rounder Magazine and Roy Osmonds book) Silver Point is...

A well-known landmark in Woody Point is St. Patrick’s Church, now in private hands. Its inscription in the register of Canada’s Historic...

Amanda Howell was the daughter of Orestes Howell of Hell Cove, WHB. She was born in 1896 and is said to have had a rough life living with...