About the Town

The Town of Deer Lake has a rich heritage and a history which dates back to 1864 when the first settlers, under the leadership of George Aaron Nichols, arrived from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. These settlers were originally loggers and trappers, however, given the suitable climate and soil conditions, many later took up farming. Deer Lake derived its name from the many Caribou that could be seen crossing the large lake. These Caribou were mistaken for Deer, hence the name.

In 1922, a work camp was established to support the International Pulp and Paper Company. This camp would later become the Town of Deer Lake, with a formal townsite being constructed in 1925. Infrastructure at the time included a railroad terminal, places of worship and a small hospital. Incorporation took place in 1950. An airport was built in 1955. This has grown to be the main airport in the region, as well as a significant employer for the town.

The Town of Deer Lake, with a population of approximately 5000, has a rich heritage and you can explore it by visiting our local heritage museum. Throughout the town you can see glimpses of the past. From the Deer Lake Powerhouse to the Centagraph in honor of those who lost their lives in the wars of the past.

Information on the Deer Lake Municipal Park Deer Lake Municipal Park

 

Deer Lake Whistle

The whistle located on the roof of the Deer Lake Power Company hydro plant and heard around town is actually an air raid siren brought over from England during the construction of the plant in the 1920s.

During the construction years and afterward it was used to call the workers to report for work, at lunch time and at the end of the work day.  The whistle blows at 7 and 8 AM, at noon and 1 PM, and at 5 and 6 PM.  It is heard throughout the community from Monday to Saturday but not on Sunday.  The whistle also blows for one minute at 11 AM on July 1st, Armistice or Memorial Day, and at 11 AM on November 11th, Remembrance Day.

When a person was presumed lost in the early days of Deer Lake, the whistle would blow every ½ hour in hopes of guiding the person home. As the town grew the whistle was used to call the Volunteer Fire Brigade.  A code was set up (a series of blows) to identify the street location of a fire. An alarm was phoned in to the control room of the “powerhouse” which was manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  An “all clear” blast signified that the fire was out.

The whistle has an important place in the history of Deer Lake and it can still be heard today.  Many residents still arrange their days around it and mothers can still be heard telling their children “Be sure to come home when you hear the whistle”.

 

Council Minutes:

Regular Council meeting of May 2, 2011, No. 1210, please click here

Regular Council meeting of May 16, 2011, No. 1211, please click here

Special Meeting of Council, May 20, 2011, please click here

Regular Council meeting of May 30, 2011, No. 1211, please click here

Regular Council meeting of June 13, 2011, No. ,1213 please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, July 18, 2011, No. 1214 please click here

Regular Council meeting of August 15, 2011, No. 1215 please click here

Special Meeting of Council, August 24, 2011 please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, August 29, 2011 No. 1216 please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, September 13, 2011, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, September 26, 2011, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, October 3, 2011, No. 1219 please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, October 24,2011 No 1220, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, November 14 ,2011 No 1221, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, November 21 ,2011 No 1222, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, November 28 ,2011 No 1223, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, December 12 ,2011 No 1224, please click here

Regular Meeting of Council, January 9, 2012 No. 1225, please click here
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