Little Rapids

Little Rapids is located at the eastern end of Deer Lake, at the beginning of the Lower Humber River. Little Rapids gets its name from a set of rapids in the river near Seal and Stag Islands.

As early as 1872, there was log cutting in the area to field a sawmill operation in Corner Brook. Sir Eric Bowater closely tied Little Rapids development with the development of the Bowater Paper mill acquired in 1938. Bowater developed a huge acreage of farmland, now known as Hammond Farm; first as an area to raise horses for the wood operation.

In 1954, Sir Eric Bowater built a summer home and retreat in Little Rapids, and called it Strawberry Hill. George Baker, a former resident of Little Rapids, was in his early teens when he moved there to work with Norm Fisher in building the farm on this new land. Except for visiting fishermen, loggers and berry pickers, they were the only permanent residents of the area. Sir Eric Bowater saw the potential for dairy production and proceeded to set up a dairy farm.

In 1947, it was in production supplying milk to the Corner Brook area. He named the property Hammond Farms, after his farm in
England.

Today, Little Rapids is the location of a booming tourism industry on the west coast of Newfoundland. The spectacular location
has inspired the construction of the Humber Valley Resort, a 300-unit resort that will surround one of Atlantic Canada’s most
premier golf courses. Still supporting a strong agricultural industry, the community also boasts several Bed and Breakfast
operations. Most of the people in this serene community commute to nearby Corner Brook or Pasadena for work.