Forteau is situated about 13 km northeast of the Quebec/Labrador border and includes the small communities of English Point and Buckles Point. Its name is derived from the French words meaning Strong Water.

A Jersey merchant, De Quettville, started a fishing business there in 1774 and in 1818, it was reported that Forteau was the largest British establishment in the Straits.

Guernseymen settled in Forteau on the western side of the bay and at Buckle's Point, while a group from Devonshire, England settled at English Point on the eastern side of the bay.

When Bishop Field of the Anglican Church was appointed to Newfoundland in 1845, he was surprised to learn that Labrador was within his jurisdiction. He visited Forteau in 1848 and in 1849 the first church was built there.

In 1909 the International Grenfell Association built the nursing station that has continued to give medical service in the Labrador Straits since that time.

The communities of Forteau and English Point, located on opposite shores of Forteau Bay, share a common community council. Also included in today's Forteau is Buckle's Point, located at the bottom (inner part) of the bay.

Surnames of Forteau: Ball, Barney, Belbin, Bell, Buckle, Butt, Colosimo, Davis, Dumaresque, Flynn, Griffin, Groves, Hancock, Howell, James, Jordan, Keats, Layden, Letemplier, May, Pope, Robbins, Roberts, Rose, Sampson, Saulter, Sheppard, Smith, Snook, Stone, Suley, Toms, Trimm, Wellman, Wissler, Woodward.

There are approximately 25 businesses in Forteau. They include wholesale, retail, woodworking shop, beauty parlor, restaurant, and cabins.

An organizing committee has been set-up to host Come Home Year celebrations from August 4-10, 2006. The fun-filled event will involve current and former residents of Forteau, Buckle's Point, English Point and L'Anse Amour. There will be activities for all ages including: Heritage Day, Dances, A Barbecue on the Wharf, An Old Fashion Time, Bonfire at L'Anse Amour Beach, Traditional Home Cooking and much more... Invitations are in the process of being sent to all current and former residents of Forteau Bay.
Upcoming Events:
We want your Recipes: All residents are being asked to submit up to three recipes including their name to the organizing committee for an upcoming commemorative booklet.
Fundraisers:
The organizing committee is sponsoring a breakfast on Saturday April 16th at the John A Dumaresque Town Hall in Forteau beginning at 7:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

FRI, AUGUST 4 MEET & GREET AT MOUNTAIN FEILD ACADEMY
START OF THE FORTEAU BAY CHALLENGE

SAT, AUGUST 5 HERITAGE DAY
EVENTS SUCH AS: TRADITIONAL SCAVENGER HUNT,
OLD FASHION TIME, SQUARE DANCE

SUN, AUGUST 6 MEMORIAL DAY: ECUMENICAL SERVICE

MON, AUGUST 7 KIDS DAY
CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY
SUPPER

TUES, AUGUST 8: FAMILY DAY (XMAS TREE, XMAS PARADE)
BREAKFAST
SPORTS DAY (BASEBALL, BOAT RIDES IN
FIRST POND)
MUMMER'S DANCE

WED, AUGUST 9: SENIORS TEA AND STORY TELLING
GHOST WALK, BONFIRE, SING ALONG

THUR, AUGUST 10 BARBEQUE AT FORTEAU WHARF
FLOTILLA
CLOSING WITH FIRE WORKS, DANCE

* This is a tentative agenda. If anyone has any ideas please contact organizing committee members.

Mayor Reginald Hancock
Deputy Mayor Terry Hancock
Councilor Gaius Trimm
Councilor Vicki Hancock
Councilor Tania Keats
Councilor Robert Hancock
Councilor Russell Layden