Discover St. Lawrence

The Town of St. Lawrence is renowned for it’s competitive spirit and quintessence of generosity. A coastal town, St. Lawrence is located on the eastern side of the Burin Peninsula in southern Newfoundland. The Burin Peninsula Highway (Route 220) passes through the town and joins the Trans Canada Highway (Route 1) at Goobies, 185 km to the north. Strategically located 32 km from international shipping lanes, St. Lawrence is connected to all major communities in the area by paved roads. 

 

Incorporated in 1949, St. Lawrence is governed by an elected town council operating under government grants and municipal taxes. With a population of 1300, it is connected by a network of paved streets and has been serviced by an efficient water and sewer system since 1953. Streetlights, snow clearing, garbage collection and general maintenance of the town is provided by the town council. Located next to the largest known fluorspar deposit in North America, for many decades St. Lawrence was the only producer of fluorspar in Canada. Fifteen years ago, it was designated the soccer capital of the country! The fish plant, operated byOcean Choice International, is now the town’s largest employer. 

 

St. Lawrence’s harbour, around which the town was built, is a sheltered year round port that can accommodate ships with a 6m draft. Harbour facilities include a fully serviced wharf with shower and laundry facilities, as well as a warehouse and fish processing plant that can accommodate any commercial or industrial activity. There is also a vast acreage of available crown land within 4 km of the shipping facilities.  Although the mine is not presently operating, the mining infrastructure is still intact.

Sports, leisure and recreation have a big role in the lives of people in St. Lawrence. The town has two regulation size soccer fields as well as a two-sheet curling rink, a multipurpose recreation center, two tennis courts and a softball field. 

After all, we are 'The Soccer Capital of Canada!" 

 

There is a strong cultural heritage as well. For example, a short walk over the hills to Chamber Cove will help you trace the history and heroism that the residents of St. Lawrence displayed on a stormy night in February, 1942. Two American ships, the Truxtun and the Pollux, ran ashore near St. Lawrence.  To commemorate this tragic event, in 1954 the American government built the U.S. Memorial Hospital in gratitude for the rescue of many men during the dreadful naval disaster.  Finally, a visit to the Miner's Museum is a must where photos and materials collected from the disaster are on display.  

 

Many breath-taking attractions around town will entice you to come back year after year. Take part in the St. Lawrence Day celebrations; catch caplin rolling on the beaches or try squid jigging in the harbor!