Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Jelly Bean Row in St. John's Newfoundland)

Jelly Bean Row St. John's NL

July 17th: Early this morning Sparky and I wandered around the famous Jelly Bean Row district in St. John's Newfoundland. Jelly Bean Row isn't just one street, it's a collection of several streets covering a large area of the historic waterfront.

While he read and answered numerous pee-mails, I snapped photos of as many of the colourful buildings as possible. I will be posting more in the next day or two.

Newfoundland was claimed for the English in 1497 by John Cabot working on behalf of the British Crown. But according to a sign in a local park it was formally claimed again in 1583, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert in the area that became St. John's. He intended it to be little more than a replenishing base for fishermen and hunters so there was no permanent European presence.

Officially claimed by British in 1583

My big question is how, or when, did the moose get to Newfoundland. It's too far for the animals to swim from the mainland. 

Central Newfoundland is the remains of an ocean floor that lay between North America and Africa about 500 million years ago. 

The island's west coast is part of the ancient margin of North America. 

The east coast was once part of southwestern Europe or North Africa, so the animals wouldn't have occurred here naturally. 

Well, thanks to the internet I have my answer:

In 1904, four moose were introduced to the Newfoundland community of Howley as part of a government initiative. 

It was hoped the animals would be a good source of meat for those working in the then-booming mining and forestry industries as well as hopefully attract sport hunters to visit the island. 

That means that every moose is related to all of the other moose. 

Cheers, and Happy Monday

Lynda and The Sparkinator

Jelly Bean Row St. John's NL

View from my hotel room in St. John's NL

Jelly Bean Row St. John's NL