Frederickton is a
designated place
A designated place (DPL) is a type of community or settlement identified by Statistics Canada that does not meet the criteria used to define municipalities or population centres. DPLs are delineated every 5 years for the Canadian census as the s ...
in the
Canadian province
Canada has ten provinces and three territories that are sub-national administrative divisions under the jurisdiction of the Constitution of Canada, Canadian Constitution. In the 1867 Canadian Confederation, three provinces of British North Amer ...
of
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the populatio ...
.
History
Formerly called Bassett's Harbour, this fishing and lumbering community was named Frederickton after 1901. Early inhabitants came from
Fogo Island to use Muddy Hole's resources during the winter season, such as its forest, unoccupied lands, abundant wildlife, and fishing and birding grounds. Muddy Hole first appears in the 1845 ''Census'' with a population of 45; by 1857 the population had reached 150. The growth in Muddy Hole was its advantageous location for the seal hunt and cod fishery. By the 1950s Frederickton was a lobster-fishing area with some logging as well. In 1951 the population was 235 and by 1966 it was 346.
;Church history
The first inhabitants of Frederickton were
Church of England
The Church of England (C of E) is the State religion#State churches, established List of Christian denominations, Christian church in England and the Crown Dependencies. It is the mother church of the Anglicanism, Anglican Christian tradition, ...
and there were a small number of
Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
s as well, in the 1840s. In the 1857 ''Census'' there was a record of
Wesleyans
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christian tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother Charles Wesley were also significa ...
in the community. In 1857 there was a
Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...
school and by the early 1900s a Methodist church was constructed in Frederickton.
In 1860 some resident fishermen of Muddy Hole were James Bonnall, George Clark, Richard Hipditch, and Thomas King.
[ E.R. Seary, 1976.]
Geography
Frederickton is in
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the population ...
within
Subdivision L of
Division No. 8.
Frederickton is located on the southwest shore of Muddy Hole, north of
Carmanville on the point of an open, exposed harbour. The rocky, low stretch of coastline, the shallow waters in the bay and the exposure to harsh weather can be dangerous for boats. For example, the ''H.M. Mosdell'' overturned in November 1908 due to strong wind and six men drowned. However, Frederickton's position created an excellent base for the seal hunt and cod fishery which was the basis of its growth and economy. Frederickton is also located close to excellent fishing and birding areas and has agricultural potential.
['']Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
''Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador'' is an encyclopedia commissioned by Joey Smallwood to capture the people, places, events and history of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Smallwood's view on the purpose of the encyclopedia was ...
''
Demographics
As a designated place in the
2016 Census of Population conducted by
Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada (StatCan; ), formed in 1971, is the agency of the Government of Canada commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. It is headquartered in ...
, Frederickton recorded a population of 221 living in 107 of its 124 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 253. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2016.
See also
*
List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
This article lists unincorporated communities of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Incorporated towns and cities are incorporated municipalities and can be found on List of municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundl ...
*
List of designated places in Newfoundland and Labrador
A designated place is a type of geographic unit used by Statistics Canada to disseminate census data. It is usually "a small community that does not meet the criteria used to define incorporated municipalities or Statistics Canada Population cen ...
References
External links
* http://ngb.chebucto.org/
* http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~hrollman/index.html
{{coord, 49, 25, 41, N, 54, 21, 29, W, type:city_region:CA, display=title
Populated coastal places in Canada
Designated places in Newfoundland and Labrador