Formal Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Building Structure or Land

Heritage Value

The Trails of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou have been designated a municipal heritage site by the Town of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou due to their historic, cultural, and aesthetic value.

The Trails of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou each have historic and cultural value. Before modern roads were established in the area, travel between communities and to various locales within communities was by way of footpaths established by previous generations. These paths linked five different harbours and were a vital means of access when ocean conditions prevented travel by boat. The paths provided a way for people from various communities to travel and get together for social, commercial, and religious purposes. The Harbour le Cou Old Road Trail traditionally connected the communities of Harbour le Cou and Rose Blanche. The Diamond Cove Trail connected Diamond Cove and Rose Blanche. The Rose Blanche Trail provided access to Rose Blanche Lighthouse, Crow Head, and Big Bottom. These paths were vital connections until the 1960s, when modern roads were constructed. 

The Trails of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou each have aesthetic value as known landmarks within the community. They also serve as physical reminders of a time when footpaths provided access to community spaces. The Harbour le Cou Old Road Trail provides access to ponds, bogs, and inland areas, while offering views of adjacent shores, inlets, and the resettled community of Petites. The Diamond Cove Trail leads to the Anglican Cemetery and a boat launch area in Diamond Cove, as well as offering views of the Diamond Cove quartz outcrop, fishing stages, offshore islands, and the ferry to La Poile. The Rose Blanche Trails are short, moderate trails which connect the Rose Blanche Lighthouse with the Town’s harbour. They follow the shoreline and provide views of coastal islands such as Caines Island, which is a protective barrier for Rose Blanche and Diamond Cove harbours. They are also vantage points to examine the settlement patterns in Rose Blanche. 

Source: Town of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou Regular Council Meeting, Motion 65-2021, August 24, 2021. 

Character Defining Elements

All those elements which represent the cultural and aesthetic value of the Trails of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou, including:
-location, orientation, and dimensions of trails;
-integrity and undeveloped nature of the trails;
-natural and constructed landmarks and features;
-access points along the trails;
-unencumbered views from the trails.

Community

Rose Blanche-Harbour Le Cou

Municipality

Town of Rose Blanche-Harbour Le Cou

Construction (circa)

1960 - 1960