Brigus: Historic Houses, Tunnels and Local History

Brigus brings history to life through its buildings and streetscape: a distinctive porch roof, a tunnel blasted by hand through solid rock and a preserved stone building each tell a different story about the town. The town also hosts a festival in August and shares the eastern starting point of the Baccalieu Coastal Drive with Cupids. For your trip, you can choose to focus on Brigus’s historic character, its events or a scenic route.

Historic Streetscape and Distinctive Buildings

The Town of Brigus designated the Brigus Historical Zone as a Municipal Heritage District for its aesthetic and historic value. Its character includes narrow, path-like streets and fieldstone walls along the channels of North Brook and Lambs Brook. The houses in Brigus also have a distinctive architectural feature: the “Brigus Porch.” Its striking rounded roof, glazed doors and sidelights set this type of porch apart from a simple front entrance.

The Stone Barn is a notable part of the town’s architectural history. This two-and-a-half-storey rectangular stone building with a mansard roof was built in 1825 for local businessman Charles Cozen and is the only surviving stone building in town. The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador listed it as a Registered Heritage Structure in 1986 for its historic, aesthetic and cultural value. The Ye Olde Stone Barn Museum explores the area’s architecture and history through artifacts, models, audiovisual materials and extensive genealogical records.

Hawthorne Cottage and the Tunnel’s History

Hawthorne Cottage was the Brigus home of Captain Robert Abram (Bob) Bartlett. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1978 for its historic and architectural significance. On a tour, visitors can see memorabilia, videos and exhibits about Bartlett’s daring expeditions. The cottage offers a tangible connection to a person whose life was closely tied to Brigus.

The Brigus Tunnel tells a different story. In 1860, Cornish miner John Hoskins blasted it through solid rock by hand to provide access to Abram Bartlett’s shipyard for the vessel Panther. The tunnel is 80 feet long and tall enough to walk through; it passes through solid rock. A short walk through it brings you to the harbour’s waterfront. Its construction, purpose and route make the tunnel a destination in its own right for anyone interested in local history and historic industry.

Festival, Craftsmanship and Trip Planning

The Brigus Blueberry Festival lasts four days and takes place every year in mid-August. Festival activities include baked goods and a pie-eating contest. If you plan your stay for this time, the festival gives your visit a special occasion; its food offerings and contest provide a different focus from the historic buildings and collections.

At Pinkston’s Forge, visitors can watch a local blacksmith make small souvenir items. It’s another way to experience local craftsmanship. When choosing a vacation rental, consider whether you’re selecting Brigus mainly for its historic buildings, a visit during festival time or as a starting point for the Baccalieu Coastal Drive. Brigus and Cupids form the eastern starting point of this scenic route.

Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site is in Brigus, about an hour’s drive west of St. John’s. The route follows Routes 70 and 60. This information can help you plan your trip if you’d like to combine a stay in Brigus with time in St. John’s. Your priorities can also help determine whether to focus your trip on the historic town centre, festival time or the scenic route.

More community pages: Holyrood, Tors Cove, St Mary’s, Whiteway, Spaniard’s Bay, Placentia, Mount Pearl and Trepassey.

For the broader travel overview: Division No. 1.