Avondale

The town of Avondale is located on Conception Bay and is part of the Admirals' Coast. According to the 2006 census, it has a population of 667.

Avondale Crest

The attractive little town was known in the region for its "disappearing church." Because of the lay of the land and the direction the road took at one time, the church seemed to vanish as you approach it.

Assumption Church, Avondale
Photo: Bruce K. Lane
with permission of the Capital Coast
Development Alliance

The Railway Station Museum

The Railway Station in Avondale is a Registered Heritage Structure, which has won the Manning Award in recognition of its outstanding efforts "in the Public Presentation of Historic Places within Newfoundland and Labrador." The Railway Station was built by the Anglo-Newfoundland Telegraph Company, in either 1870 or 1880 and is the oldest surviving railway station in the province. Structurally, its appearance is very different from other provincial railway stations. It served as a repeater station for the first telegraph land line serving St. John's.

From 1900 to 1949, the structure was a freight and passenger station operated by the Reid Newfoundland Company. It was an important terminus during World War II for transporting men working at the American military bases in Argentia. From Confederation in 1949 until its closure in 1984, the Canadian National Railway used the station as a terminus for their passenger and freight service in Conception Bay.

Today the building is used as a community and railway museum. With numerous artifacts from the railway era, the museum is open daily in July and August. Beside the museum, an engine and several cars from the Newfoundland Railway are displayed on railway tracks. One of the rail cars is a dining car, which has been set up as a restaurant where meals are served daily.

Avondale Railway Station
Registered Heritage Structure

Activities in Avondale

Avondale is a popular site for kayaking and the Avondale Speedway provides motocross and stockcar racing every Sunday.

Avondale
Click for larger version, then right border for next.

Islands
Kelly's Island

Communities
with Photos
Avondale
Colliers
Conception Bay South (CBS) [Topsail, Chamberlains, Manuels, Long Pond, Foxtrap, Kelligrews, Upper Gullies, Lawrence Pond and Seal Cove]
Conception Harbour
Harbour Main- Chapel's Cove -Lakeview
Holyrood
Marysvale
Paradise

Societies
Manuels River Natural Heritage Society
Marysvale Heritage Society