Stephenville Crossing

Stephenville Crossing (2016 population: 1,719[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]

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
Country	Canada
Province	Newfoundland and Labrador
Government
• Mayor	Lisa Lucas
Area [1]
• Total	80.8 km^2 (31.20 sq mi)
Population  (2016)[1]
• Total	1,719
• Density	55.1/km^2 (143/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3:30 (Newfoundland Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-2:30 (Newfoundland Daylight)
Area code(s)	709
Highways	Route 460 Route 461 Route 490

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 nurse Practitioner. There is a search and rescue building located near Main Street. The Barachois Search and Rescue is active in assisting authorities in water rescues, assisting with finding missing persons, and is also active within the community; regularly seen doing training exercises and also working with the local children, teaching them vital skills.

There is also a government-ran Long Term Care Centre located in Stephenville crossing. The Bay St.George Long Term Care Centre opened in 1976, and has 114 beds offering complete and total care to seniors living with diminished capabilities.[3]

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.

References

1. "Census Profile". 2016 Census. Statistics Canada.
2. "Stephenville Crossing". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, vol.5, p.304-305.
3. http://westernhealth.nl.ca/home/locations/locations-2/bay-st-george-long-term-care-centre/