Stephenville Crossing
| Stephenville Crossing | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Stephenville Crossing railway station in 1965. | |
| Nickname(s): 'crossing' 'xing' or 'zing' | |
  Stephenville Crossing Location of Stephenville Crossing in Newfoundland | |
| Coordinates: 48°31′N 58°25′W / 48.517°N 58.417°W | |
| Country |
 |
| Province |
 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Lisa Lucas |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 80.8 km2 (31.20 sq mi) |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,719 |
| • Density | 55.1/km2 (143/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3:30 (Newfoundland Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-2:30 (Newfoundland Daylight) |
| Area code(s) | 709 |
Stephenville Crossing (2016 population: 1719[1]) is a Canadian town in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador on the island of Newfoundland. The town is located at the easternmost limit of Bay St. George.[2]
History
The settlement derives its name from the Newfoundland Railway, which ran through the community on its way from Port aux Basques to Corner Brook.
The Hanson Memorial Highway was constructed by the United States Army Air Forces to link the railway line at Stephenville Crossing with Harmon Field, under construction on the other side of a hill to the north in Stephenville. Later, the USAAF built its own railway line from Stephenville Crossing to Stephenville.
Since the air base was constructed, Stephenville Crossing has functioned more or less as a suburb of Stephenville although most locals understand the difference between the two since there is a ten-minute car drive between both towns.
The 1988 abandonment of the railway in Newfoundland by CN resulted in the last train running through Stephenville Crossing to St. George's (return) on June 6, 1990.
Facilities
Stephenville Crossing, in addition to the usual residential and commercial premises (such as a gas station, a pharmacy, two building supplies stores, a convenience store, a volunteer fire house, a hair salon and a grocery store), also has a clinic with a family doctor and a search and rescue building is located near Main Street. Located in the heart of town is a barred off location containing sewage, including septic tanks. The septic industry increasingly got popular once the railway was discontinued. 75 percent of Newfoundland's septic tanks are manufactured in Stephenville Crossing and the town gained a respectable reputation for waste disposal. Furthermore, the Barachois Search and Rescue is active in assisting authorities in water rescues, and is also active within the community; regularly seen doing training exercises and also working with local children, teaching them vital skills.
Education
St. Michael's Elementary School is a K-8 school, located off West Street, that educates around 180 pupils. The facility includes a science lab, art room, music room, gymnasium, and a cafeteria. St. Michael's Elementary was officially opened in December 1976.
The College of the North Atlantic's one of many District Vocational Schools(DVS) is currently located in the town, as a part of the college's Bay St.George Campus, offering students education in heavy duty mechanic and hair styling among others. In 2017 ground broke for a new DVS in Stephenville, which some believe may eventually replace the location in Stephenville Crossing.
References
- 1 2 3 "Census Profile". 2016 Census. Statistics Canada.
- ↑ "Stephenville Crossing". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, vol.5, p.304-305.