Stephenville is a town of 6,600 people (2016) in Western Newfoundland.
This place was known as the Acadian village, between 1848 and 1870. The populace of the village consisted of Roman Catholics who eked out a living, farming and fishing. The town's population continued to grow because of the stable economy. It was home to Ernest Harmon AFB, which was operated by the United States Air Force from 1941 to 1966.
The base precipitated an economic boom of sorts on Newfoundland's southwest coast during the 1940s. The village of Stephenville grew from a hamlet of several hundred people with no paved streets, side walks, water or sewage system in 1941 into a modern town of over 5,000 by the mid-1950s. By the time Ernest Harmon AFB closed in 1966, the town had more than doubled in size, partly as a result of the provincial government's forced resettlement policy toward residents of outports. The town uses many former USAF structures for housing, recreation and entertainment.
There are various sites around town that show old French heritage, later American influence, and ongoing fishing history.
- Port-au-Port Walking Trail. A nice hiking trail.
Port-au-Port Walking Trail. A nice hiking trail.
- Arlims Company, 107 Main St (Downtown, +1 709 643-2823. A historic souvenir shop.
- Riffs, Main St. A wide variety of quality clothing.
- Byrnes, 83 Main St, +1 709 643-2991. 9:30AM-5:30PM. Sells high quality footwear and sports clothing.
Arlims Company, 107 Main St (Downtown, +1 709 643-2823. A historic souvenir shop.
Riffs, Main St. A wide variety of quality clothing.
Byrnes, 83 Main St, +1 709 643-2991. 9:30AM-5:30PM. Sells high quality footwear and sports clothing.
- Hartery's Family Restaurant, 109 Main St, +1 709 643-2242. Good home-style food.
- Emile's Restaurant, 44 Queen St (At the Day's Inn., +1 709 643-6666. M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-11PM, Sa Su 8AM-10PM. Good home-style food.
- Domino Pizza House, 54 Main St, +1 709 643-2742. This local restaurant—unaffiliated with the international chain— opened in the 1950s and is known locally for its great pizza and submarine sandwiches and friendly atmosphere.
- Mary Brown's, West Street, +1 709 643-5153. No visit to Newfoundland is complete until you have tried this chain's fried chicken.
Hartery's Family Restaurant, 109 Main St, +1 709 643-2242. Good home-style food.
Emile's Restaurant, 44 Queen St (At the Day's Inn., +1 709 643-6666. M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-11PM, Sa Su 8AM-10PM. Good home-style food.
Domino Pizza House, 54 Main St, +1 709 643-2742. This local restaurant—unaffiliated with the international chain— opened in the 1950s and is known locally for its great pizza and submarine sandwiches and friendly atmosphere.
Mary Brown's, West Street, +1 709 643-5153. No visit to Newfoundland is complete until you have tried this chain's fried chicken.
Newfoundland is known for great drinking, and Stephenville is no exception. Bars and clubs are located throughout town. There are a handful of bars along Main St.
- The Bar and Grill, 52 Main St, +1 709 643-5017. The most popular nightclub in the area for the younger generation.
- Clancy's, 120 Carolina Ave (downstairs from Razoolies, on the edge of town, +1 709 643-6623.
The Bar and Grill, 52 Main St, +1 709 643-5017. The most popular nightclub in the area for the younger generation.
Clancy's, 120 Carolina Ave (downstairs from Razoolies, on the edge of town, +1 709 643-6623.
- Go golfing at Harmon Seaside Links on the 18 hole golf course.
- Hike the Lewis Hills and visit Newfoundland's highest point.