There was a time when the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company was one of the largest employers in Newfoundland. There were years when over four thousand people were on it’s payroll at different times during the year. For many years the permanent staff was over 2000. The impact of the pulp and paper industry on the economy of Newfoundland during the 20th Century was immense. In fact there was a period during the Great Depression when the value of the exports from our two pulp and paper mills was much larger than the value of our fisheries exports. This industry didn’t just employ people in the mill towns, thousands of men from the outports found work as loggers and the industry accounted for a large percentage of the freight that was carried over the railroad and actually kept one branch line going long after others like it were abandoned.
The AND Company gave birth to the towns of Grand Falls and Windsor, but also greatly impacted the towns of Botwood, Bishop’s Falls, Badger, Millertown, Gambo and Terra Nova and Millertown Junction, not to mention towns like Point Leamington and Norris Arm, where almost the entire workforce was employed in logging with the “Company.”
I have been researching the history of Central Newfoundland for a long time. I figured that somebody out there might find some of the things I have come across interesting.
Over the past few years I have been checking out old photos posted to various Facebook pages related to Grand Falls-Windsor. Sometime I think I end up writing too much and feel a bit like I am coming off knowitally and long winded. The thing is, is that I know a lot about the history of the region. So much that at one point I had a job where I was tasked with cataloging all of the information related to Central Newfoundland in an Archive. It was a very interesting job and I learned enough to fill several volumes.
Initially this site was going to be devoted to logging but I soon realized that it would be impossible to confine my posts to that subject. So it expanded into a blog on the history of Central Newfoundland and more specifically the Exploits Valley region.
The name comes from the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company, the builders and original owners of the Grand Falls pulp and paper mill. Much of the history of this region can somehow be tied to this company.
I am always looking for suggestions for articles so feel free to leave a comment. I would like this site to be like a virtual museum-but one that is ongoing, constantly being updated and filled with new and interesting information.
Anglo Newfoundland Development Company 
Very excellent, concise writing. I lapped it up like a cat drinking milk 🙂 I do have a picture of the scow on the cable at Badger plus many more pictures of various things. If you want me to email them, forward your address to me via my email which is jaricketts@nf.sympatico.ca. Keep up the good work. Central Newfoundland sorely needs this history. I touch on it in my books, but my main focus was, of course, Badger.
Going towards the Gaff Topsails there is a stone quarry with large granite blocks carved precisely. Apparently the Reid people shipped them into St. John’s to use to shore up Water Street and various other places. Also the stone was used as abutments for the railway trestles across the island. If you can get to go up that way via the T’Rail, it would be worth the trip and getting pictures of same. So much history……………(I love it!)
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I as well enjoy reading your posts. As a suggestion it would be nice for you to do a story of your name sake and namely the railway from the mill to the port of Botwood.
Keep up the good work
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Joe, funny you should mention that- I am actually working on a story about the Botwood Railway right now!!
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Very interesting research! My father, Pat Mulrooney, was a logger – he built The Logger’s Life Museum (formerly known as “The Logging Exhibit”) alongside Mr. Menchington & I heard him reference the Anglo Newfoundland Development Company in relation to his life as a logger many times. Best of luck with your continuing research!
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Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your work so these people and events are not forgotten, these posts are a great tribute to Central Nfld.
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I took a photo of those 3 ASARCO switchers in Windsor back in 1987. I worked for CN in Windsor ON (coincidentally) at the time. I always wondered about their history. Thank toy for clearing that up!
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I remember the switchers and the box cars on the old siding. I was a little kid at the time and used to like to look at them as we drove by. I think some of the box cars were cut up on the site as there are still bits of the frames around in the woods. When I was a teenager there was still a piece of rolling stock with the ASARCO logo on it in the woods nearby. I check to see if it was still there a few years ago and it was gone. I think I may have a copy of your photo.
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Hi Brian , my dad worked for the A.N.D. Company and was killed in a logging accident on January 29th ,1957, HIS name was Herbert Dwyer from Norris Arn,nl my Grandfather Skipper John Higgins was also a contractor with A.N.D.
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that should be NORRIS ARM,NL
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Bryan,
I just found your site and am blown away by how wonderfully fascinating it is. I am not sure I have much to add to it but what little dregs I can add, I will. I grew up in Grand Falls and my father was employed at the Mill for most of his adult life. I will put you in touch with sister. She is much better at remembering the area than I am.
I found your site because of the photo you have of Main Street in Grand Falls, crica 1960 with the Royal Stores to the right. I am developing a poem called “The Royal Stores” about a fuzzy memory of a visit to it as a child in the 60s. I usually use my own photos for my poetry, but in this case, obviously, that would be a better header. May I have your permission to do so? Send me your email address and I will forward a copy of the poem as it currently stands.
For another Grand Falls related poem (if you are interested) here is one on Labour Day:
https://bookofpain.wordpress.com/2015/09/06/labour-day-2/
– john
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Hi David Marsh,
My name is Andrew Maize and Lewis Miller was my great-great grandfather.
I’m coming to Newfoundland in a few weeks for the first time, to do some research into Lewis Miller – and would love to meet up if you are around.
andrew.maize@gmail.com
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