Formal Recognition Type

Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program

Notes

The Murrin family has lived in Goose Cove since the early to mid 1800s, when Joseph Murrin moved there from Pouch Cove. Joseph was a successful inshore fishermen and his descendants have followed in his footsteps. Murrin’s Fish Store was constructed around 1940. The bottom floor was used for salting cod and the second floor for the storage of fishing gear and cod traps. Today, the building is still used for the storage of fishing gear. J. Edward Murrin is the fourth generation of Murrin in Goose Cove. He did not want to see his family’s fishing premises lost and applied for restoration assistance under the Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program. The foundation on the southwest side of the store had rotted considerably over the years, resulting in a noticeable sag in the structure. The clapboard was also very worn, so much so that it was half its original thickness. As part of the restoration project, the store’s foundation was stabilized, new clapboard was applied to the exterior walls, windows were repaired and the entire building was painted. One of the biggest problems faced during restoration was making the building level and square. Edward observed that the building was very “squish” and a resourceful way of remedying this was employed. As Edward explains, “in the end we used a truck and a large wooden beam placed between the bumper of the truck and the store, and very slowly and carefully backed the truck back and put the side of the store back in its original position.” This resourcefulness paid off, as Murrin’s Fish Store has been restored to its original state and will stand at the water’s edge for years to come.

Community

Goose Cove East

Municipality

Town of Goose Cove East

Civic Address

Great Northern Peninsula

Construction (circa)

1940 - 1940

Style

Rectangular Long Façade