(click here to find Broom Point on the map)
The Broom Point Fishing Premesis in Gross Morne National Park is on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The entrance is off Route 430 between Western Brook Pond and St. Pauls, NL.
As early as 300BC the Palaeo Eskimo used Broom Point for the spring seal hunt. Since 1808 the area has been used as a summer fishing community. Three Mudge brothers, from Norris Point and their families fished from Broom Point every summer from 1941 until 1975.
The main harvests were lobster and cod. There is a cabin and a fish store restored to the way they were in the early '60's. Boats built by the family are in the store along with nets, traps, and other gear. A Parks Canada guide explains how all the gear was used and even shows you how the families repaired and made nets, and built and repaired lobster traps in the winter time. The men also made their own boats from scratch, harvesting and milling the wood, designing the shape, building it, repairing as needed.
Our guide was a former fisherman from the area and was really able to shine a light on how life was when the site was operational. This is a snapshot in time of a life that existed within the lives and memories of many people in the area.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
The small 2 bedroom cabin which was home to two families in the summer is furnished as it was. At times it housed 10 people, adults and children. The cabin is heated by a wood stove. As with many fishing sites, the cabin and store were only used in the summer. The families would spend the winter in town, preparing for the next season. In the picture below you are seeing the room that served as kitchen, living room, and a bedroom.
A visit to The Broom Point Fishing Exhibit is highly recommended and will give you an appreciation of the area's history and of the lives these people endured.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
As you look at the fishing store you will see to your left where the boats were put into the water. The original log ramps are almost all gone now but you can still see the small gear house from which they used a pulley system to aid in drawing the boats up.