The community of Cartwright was established in 1775 by Captain George Cartwright, who is also its namesake. Captain Cartwright was an English sailor and trader of fish and furs. The settlement he established provided him with an excellent sheltered harbour and the hills around the community gave him excellent lookout points from which he could keep an eye out for privateers. To guard the entrance into Cartwright harbour, he had two cannons installed on Flag Staff Hill. Both of these cannons can still be found at the same location keeping watch over the harbour entrance today.

In 1837 the Hudson Bay Company established its principal trading post in Cartwright and ever since it has been a main port of call for shipping vessels and fisher boats of all sort. A main employer in the community today is the Labrador Shrimp Company which processes mainly snow crab meat.

Just 10 miles north of Cartwright is Porcupine Strand - a sand beach that is about 56 km long. This stretch of beautiful sand was known to the Vikings as the "Wonderstrand". The Mealy Mountains range that stretches from Lake Melville in the north to Sandwich Bay can also be seen from the community. The well known Eagle River, 20 miles to the southwest, has proven to be among the best salmon fly fishing spots in the world. Such dignitaries and VIPs as Former President George Bush Sr., General (Ret.) Norman Schwarzkopf and Brian Mulroney have been known to fish for prize winning salmon on this river. To the east lies the Atlantic Ocean and the Gannet Islands Seabird Ecological Reserve - home to 50,000 common murre, 35 000 puffins and 8 000 other birds. Eighteen miles to the east of the community lies Table Bay which is home to the largest colony for breeding Eider ducks in Labrador.

Cartwright also has on hand such amenities as a Hotel, Motel, Bed & Breakfast Establishments, Resaurants, Postal Service, Health Labrador Clinic, Garage, Adverture Tourism, Kayaking Tours, Craft Shops, Marine Transportation and Shipping facility, various churches, RCMP Detachment and a number of gas stations. It lies just 46 km south of Paradise River and 210 km north of Port Hope Simpson on the Trans Labrador Highway.

While visiting Cartwright, be sure to visit Caribou Castle Rock which was where Captain Cartwright's home used to be. Flagstaff Hill where the canons that protected our harbour still stand. Fequets Museum houses beautiful artifacts from all around the Sandwich Bay area.

Rosetta Holwell, Mayor
Melody Pardy, Deputy Mayor
Francine Learning, Councillor

Shirley Hopkins, Town Manager/Clerk
David Pardy, Heavy Equipment/Maintenance

The Cartwright Town Council is in the process of tearing down old buildings. If anyone has old buildings that they would like to have torn down, feel free to contact the Town Office for futher information.

Council would like to inform everyone that if any dogs, or cats, are caught roaming the town they will be put down without question. Citizens are aware of the Animal Control Regulations and when walking your pets, you are to keep them on a leash at all times. How well a dog listens to its owner is not an issue that is open to debate, all animals must be kept on a leash within town boundaries.

A Scrap Metal dealer will be coming in to Cartwright in the spring and if anyone has old vehicles, heavy appliances, or other scrap metals that they would like to get rid of, please call the Town Office for further information.

The Heritage Committee will be holding an Art Display during the Come Home Year celebrations. If anyone has any art work/crafts that they would like to display, just have it ready for Come Home Year week in August. The Heritage Committee will be sending out further information concerning this event at a later date.

Council will have picnic tables and benches built later this spring for placement around town in the summer.

With Come home Year events scheduled for August 2005, Council would like to ask that every citizen do his/her share to try and make our town a little more presentable. A coat of paint here and there and clearing away of unnecessary junk on properties, will go a long way in making our town more presentable, to our own citizens, and the traveling population.

Our gymnasium is still a cause for concern. Council has been trying to have this facility taken over by the Labrador School Board, and as of to date, they have not agreed to this take over. Council has been considering telling government that they are going to dismantle the facility, put it in another location, and use it for a rink. If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please forward same, in writing, to the Cartwright Town Office.

The contractors are in to complete the water upgrade project. Water will be shut off in various sections of town at various times. Citizens will be informed when the water will be shut off in their area. The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect as long as this work is being completed.

Municipal Elections will be held in September. We will be looking to fill all five (5) seats on Council. The date for nominations will be announced in August.

Clean up weeks will be from June 1, 2005, until June 30, 2005, this year. Citizens are asked to have all garbage for pick up by the side of the road. If you have old vehicles and/or appliances to dispose of, please call the Town Office to arrange a suitable time.

All property owners that are fixing up their properties, painting, and cleaning up around their properties will have their names entered in to a draw for a $250.00 deduction off their Municipal Taxes.

Come Home Year Celebrations are planned for August,22 to 27th, 2005.

Updates available at www.cartwrightlab.ca