Dildo and South Dildo

---

Click on Photos for larger view.

In 2001, Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine named Dildo one of the top 10 most beautiful communities in Canada. In 1991, the population of Dildo was 272 while South Dildo had a population of 62.

Dildo was once home to both Archaic Indians (2000 BC) and later (700 AD) Dorset Eskimo. European fishermen traded with Beothics in the early 1600s. Dildo was settled in the early 1800's by Reids, Prettys, and Smiths.

Until the ban on whaling in the early 1970s, Dildo was renowned for whaling. It currently houses a whaling and fishery museum. It is our understanding this monument was torn down in 2006-2007. Whaling was both a demanding and dangerous occupation.

Dildo became the site of a large fish hatchery in 1889. There were only two such hatcheries in North America at the time. There were 2 to 3 million cod hatched per season. It closed in 1897 because of lack of government funds.

There are many theories how the town received its name:

• Dildo was named after a Spanish sailor
• Dildo was named after a long metal cylinder, a part of a ship.
• Dildo was named after dildos - the traditional name for the two round pegs on a dory which brace the oars during rowing.
• Dildo was named after the Caribbean Dildo-Pear Tree; which isn't far-fetched since salt-fish from Newfoundland were often traded for rum which was bottled under the name of Screech.
• Dildo was named after an archaic term for the chorus of a song which was used by Shakespeare in A Winter's Tale.
• Dildo was named after a short sword shaped like Dildo Island.
• Dildo was named after the phallus; an aerial view of the bay does resemble one.

We're uncertain if this is New Harbour or Dildo.