Rising in the Wilderness

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1959 - Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOCC) began the construction of a town site for the "Carol Project" 13 km east of the proposed mine. Initially all the "contractor's men," supplies, construction materials and heavy equipment had to be airlifted in, using a gravel airstrip.

1960 - In May, a spur railway line connecting Labrador West to the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway was completed. It was also in this year the first families began to arrive in what is now Labrador City.

1961 - What had been previously known as the "Carol Project" was incorporated as the Town of Labrador City. The name was chosen by Premier Joseph R. Smallwood. Our town crest features a snowy owl and a caribou and a coat of arms in the form of a black spade, containing a stylized spruce tree and a map of Labrador. The motto, "Kamistiatusset" is an Innu word which translates as "Place of the Hard-Working People."

1962 - The mine and concentrator came into full production, being officially opened at a ceremony on July 10th. A mining camp was established at Wabush Lake, the beginnings of Labrador City's "sister town" of Wabush.

1963 - IOCC's pelletizing plant officially opened. By this date the major denominations had built churches at Labrador City and the first private businesses had been established. Labrador City Collegiate and C. E. McManus schools were opened.

1964 - Captain William Jackman Hospital is opened with the first birth occurring on September 19th. Wabush Mines began full production. A daily jet service was introduced by Eastern Provincial Airways and Quebecair.

1966 - In keeping with the plans for a major expansion of the operation at Labrador City, IOCC began a program of intensified construction of family homes in the town - including the first homes for sale. By the 1966 census Labrador City had 5000 residents and this number more than doubled in the following decade.

1986 - The gravel road to Baie Comeau (595 KM) was completed, which helped alleviate the feeling of isolation for residents of western Labrador known locally as the "Freedom Road". Churchill Falls was accessible by putting your vehicle on a train to Esker and then driving 158 km on a gravel road, built by CFLCo in the 1960's, and known as "The Brinco Road."

1992 - The Trans Labrador Highway to Happy Valley-Goose Bay (560 km) was opened, connecting residents directly by road and ferry to the Island.