Westport: Located almost next door to Purbeck's Cove, the town's name was adopted, according to ENL sources, in the turn of the 20th century to apply to three adjacent coves.

In order from north the south, there was Pound Cove, Wiseman's Cove and Western Cove.

It is believed that it was settled around 1840 by a fisherman by the name of Thomas Jacobs who was most likely had "some involvement in the migratory fishery to nearby Grandy (Big) Island and Hauling Point (Bear Cove).

It is believed that Westport was the first permanent settlement on the peninsula. In 2016 the census enumerated 195 citizens in the port, a drop of 11.4% from 220 recorded in 2011. From the Central Newfoundland (CNL) website comes an interesting description of the status of school in the late 1800s:

The first school was built in Westport approximately 1890-1895 and it consisted of one classroom. The first teacher to come to Westport was a Miss Peddle in the year 1893.

People believed they didn't need education, only the basic reading and writing, which made it hard for the teacher to teach. In order for the school to be kept heated, the students were required to bring two or three sticks of wood per day.

The students had to use slates to write on. It was wiped clean at the end of the day, so they had to have good memories to remember what they were taught.

Because it was thought that education was not necessary, people would drop out of school with grade two or three. In 1947, a two room school was built due to the increase in student enrollment.

The teacher at that time was Charlie Abraham. The school provided more room and modern facilities.

In 1960, another classroom was added to this school to accommodate more students. Despite some of the major difficulties, some of the students received a high education and went on to become teachers, doctors, nurses, etc.

Used with permission from "Uncovering the Origin of 1001 Unique Place Names in Newfoundland and Labrador" 2021 Jennifer Leigh Hill

Address of this page: http://nl.ruralroutes.com/WestportNL