Happy Valley-Goose Bay

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Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, incorporated as a town in 1955, population 7552 (2011c), 7572 (2006c). The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is the result of the amalgamation of two towns situated at the western end of HAMILTON INLET, Labrador.

History

Happy Valley was a townsite chosen by people relocated from Otter Cr by the Government of Canada in 1941, when it was decided to build an airport at nearby Goose Bay. By June 1943 the airport was the world's largest, used by the RCAF, the USAF and the Canadian Army. As construction accelerated, Happy Valley grew with over 3000 employed on the project. The town continued as a small civilian community servicing the base, which remained a permanent airport after the war. In 1974 Happy Valley amalgamated with Goose Bay.

Present Day

Today the base, 5 Wing Goose Bay, provides logistical and administrative service to the Air Forces of the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. All 3 Allied air forces conduct an average of 7000 low-level military flight training sorties throughout Labrador and Quebec from Apr to Oct each year.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Satellite Image
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Satellite Image
This satellite image of eastern Labrador shows the town and airport of Happy Valley-Goose Bay as light blue patches at the mouth of the Churchill River. The bald, rugged terrain of the Shield is clearly visible on the right. The dark smudge on the land to the centre-left shows the effects of a forest fire (courtesy Canada Centre for Remote Sensing).
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Author JANET E.M. PITT AND ROBERT D. PITT


Links to Other Sites
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
The official website for the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Explore the area's many museums and military history attractions.

Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce
The website for the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce (APCC), formerly the Maritime Board of Trade. Formed in 1896, this organization promotes and supports business and economic development in Atlantic Canada. Click on "Chambers" for links to local Chambers of Commerce.

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