Clarenville: Located in Trinity Bay near the bottom of the North West Arm of Random Sound, the providence of this town's name is quite a "story".

According to local history (and reported in the ENL), sometime in the early 1890s, inhabitants living in the community wanted a post office.

After approaching Prime Minister, Sir William Whiteway, they were told that in order to "quality" the various small communities in the immediate area would have to amalgamate in order to become a larger centre.

As a result of this advice, the communities of Lower Shoal Harbour, Dark Hole, Brook Cove, Broad Cove and Red Beach, joined together and was given the name "Clarenceville" (note the "c").

Why Clarenceville was chosen is where the confusion arises; some say that the choice was to honour the Duke of Clarence, the oldest son of the Prince of Wales who died in 1892, at about the time the amalgamation become official; but others believe that Clarenceville was chosen to honor the Prime Minister who "gave them" their post office, however his name (William Whiteway), nor any of his progeny were name "Clarence" so that theory appears to be less plausible.

Irrespective of either, post-amalgamation appeared on the roll to be Clarenville (note the lack of the letter "c) and so it has remained.

The municipality of Clarenville, according to the 2016 census, had 6,291 residents, a 4.2% increase over the 6,036 recorded in 2011.

According to the town's website, the "key component of Clarenville's economy is driven by the service industry as it provides for the needs of some 96,000 people living in 90 communities within a 100 km radius.

Strategically located between three major peninsulas, Clarenville is withing a two hour reach of 70% of the province's population".

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/Clarenville