Town of Millertown

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History

1768     Lieutenant John Cartwright and brother George, considered first white men to reach the shores of Red Indian Lake, naming it Lieutenant's Lake
1811     David Buchan travelled up the Exploits River in an attempt to establish friendly relations with the Beothuk.
1819     Demasduit (Mary March) captured by John Peyton at Red Indian Lake on the Exploits River, and her husband Nonowsbasut, last chief of the Beothuk is killed.
1820     David Buchan attempts to return Demasduit to Red Indian Lake, but she dies of Tuberculosis during the voyage
1827     William Epps Cormack explores Exploits River and the Eastern end of Red Indian Lake
1875     James Howley explores Red Indian Lake and Victoria River
1899     Lewis Miller sends his trusted servant, Alex McCombie, to survey pine stands and obtain the necessary acreage for two mills
1900     Scotsman Lewis Miller builds a town and steam operated saw mills
1900     A 19 mile spur line to Red Indian Lake from Millertown Junction is built.
1901     The church was built, an opening dedication service was held on March 10
1901     Lewis Miller opens the first school, Mr. Whiteway was the first school teacher in Millertown
1903     Lewis Miller sells his lumbering enterprise to Harry Crowe & W.D. Reid (Newfoundland Timber Estates Ltd.)
1905     Harmsworth's purchases the operation, establishing Anglo-Newfoundland Development Co. (A.N.D.)
1908     Huge Cole brings in a herd of reindeer to Millertown to be used by the A.N.D Co. as a source of food for men in lumber camps, also, the reindeer are used to haul wood.
1909     Millertown becomes headquarters for one of A.N.D. four woods divisions
1910     Millertown railway was sold to Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company (A.N.D.)
1910     A.N.D. builds a 19 mile extension to Lake Ambrose, the Harpoon Logging Railway
1910     The first E.V Royal Stores was opened in Millertown. It was converted from part of Lewis Miller’s
old mill on the right side of the steam engine, facing the lake.
1911     A.N.D. builds small Hospital in Millertown
1921     June 8-12, a large forest fire in the lumber woods in Millertown area came dangerously close to destroying the town.
1926     The town that was built on the point was moved to higher ground in anticipation of raising the water level of the lake
1927     Dam built on the Exploits River - Red Indian Lake
1931     Oct. 16, a public meeting was held to appoint trustees for the newly built town hall.
1933     A promising copper prospect was opened up near the Victoria River.
1937     The Men’
s Club was formed
1938     Girl Guides and Brownies were formed- they were active until 1978.
1939     Boy Scouts was formed.
1940     New two-classroom school opened on Oct 14
1945     Sept. 17, a new classroom was added to the school. Mr. Potts, A.N.D Co. Manager and Rev. Maidment, Anglican minister, officiated at the opening.
1947     Towers were built on high peaks (Hungry Hill & Harpoon Hill) in the lumber woods area, to be used as look out towers for fire patrol.
1948     44 housing units were wired for electricity in town. The power was turned on Nov.11, 1948.
1952     Millertown Memorial Athletic Association was formed.
1956     Highway was completed to Millertown
1957     The Lake Ambrose and Millertown to Buchans Junction railway lines are dismantled
1959     Millertown is Incorporated
1968     Osmonds Sawmill begins operations
1977     Millertown Volunteer Fire Department is formed
1991     Book gets published about history of Millertown: Heave Out. Millertown: A History of Logging. Red Indian Lake Heritage Society
1991     School closes, students bused to Buchans
1995     New bailey bridge opened replacing dam crossing (273 foot bailey bridge)
2000     Millertown come home year celebrations. 100 years of logging in Millertown
2004     Aur announced its decision to proceed with development of the Duck Pond mine, 30 km SW of Millertown
2005     Opening of the Lewis Miller Snowmobile Trail