Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights

Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights is a town located on the Avalon Peninsula in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Incorporated in 1971, the community is situated along the southwestern shore of Placentia Bay, approximately 100 kilometers west of the provincial capital, St. John's. Its economy has historically been tied to the fishing industry and later to major industrial developments in the region, including the Long Harbour processing facility. The town offers residents a blend of coastal living and access to the natural landscapes of Newfoundland.

History

The area was originally utilized by Mi'kmaq and Beothuk peoples, with European settlement beginning in the early 19th century by English and Irish fishermen attracted to the rich cod stocks of Placentia Bay. The community grew slowly as a fishing outport, with its early development centered on the sheltered Long Harbour inlet. A significant transformation occurred in the late 1960s with the construction of the Electric Reduction Company of Canada (ERCO) phosphorus plant, which prompted the amalgamation of several small settlements into the incorporated town. This industrial project, supported by the Joey Smallwood administration, marked a major shift from a purely resource-based economy to include heavy industry. The later 20th century saw further change with the decline of the groundfishery and the subsequent conversion of the industrial site, which now hosts the Vale Long Harbour Processing Plant, a major nickel processing facility.

Geography

The town encompasses a land area of 34.21 square kilometers along the rugged coastline of the Avalon Peninsula. Its topography is characterized by rolling hills, with Mount Arlington Heights providing elevated views over the intricate shoreline and islands of Placentia Bay. The terrain is typical of the Eastern Hyper-oceanic Barrens ecoregion, featuring peatlands and coniferous forests dominated by black spruce. Key water features include the Long Harbour fjord and several small ponds and streams that feed into the bay. The climate is classified as humid continental climate, heavily moderated by the Labrador Current, resulting in cool summers, snowy winters, and frequent fog.

Demographics

According to the 2021 Census conducted by Statistics Canada, the town had a population of 2,108 living in 862 of its 904 total private dwellings. This represented a slight decrease from the 2016 population of 2,204. The median age is 46.4, slightly higher than the provincial average. The vast majority of residents report English as their first language, with a small number reporting French. In terms of ethnic origin, most inhabitants identify as Canadian, English, Irish, or Scottish. The town has a higher-than-average percentage of residents employed in goods-producing sector industries, reflecting the presence of the processing plant.

Government and infrastructure

Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights is governed by an elected Town Council led by a mayor, operating under the Municipalities Act. The town falls within the federal riding of Avalon and the provincial district of Placentia-St. Mary's. Essential services include a volunteer fire department, municipal water and waste management systems, and a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment. The community is connected by Route 90 to the Trans-Canada Highway. While there are no hospitals within the town, residents access healthcare at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne and the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's.

Notable people

* Mark Nichols, curler and Olympic gold medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, who hails from the area. * John C. Perlin, former MHA for Placentia and St. Mary's Bay and cabinet minister in the Frank Moores and Brian Peckford governments.

Category:Towns in Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Populated places on the Avalon Peninsula