Markland, Newfoundland and Labrador

History

Markland was founded as an experimental land settlement or agricultural community in 1934. The "Markland experiment" began in the spring of that year when a group of private citizens in St. John's vouched for the Commission of Government to give them relief payments for farming and agriculture. The Commission advanced payments to the trustees and offered a block of land for the settlement on the road between Whitbourne and Colinet. The name Markland was chosen from "forest land" of the Viking (Norse) Icelandic Sagas.

Despite initial success, by 1940 the government was not participating as actively in the land settlement scheme and other aspects of the experiment, such as communal farming and interdenominational schooling, had been abandoned. As employment prospects increased in Newfoundland during World War II, many families ceased farming. Markland residents were employed at Argentia after 1941 and by the end of the war, Markland was becoming less of a farming community.

Geography

Markland's landscape consists of mostly marshes and thickly wooded areas. Hodge River runs through it.

Flora and fauna

Wildlife in Markland includes moose, squirrels, rabbits, and birds.

Tourism

Rodrigues Markland Cottage Winery is located in Markland. They use local hand-picked berries such as blueberry and bakeapple, to produce wine. This Winery offers tours and wine tasting to visitors all year round.

The locals enjoy riding snowmobiles and quad bikes, as well as fishing and boating.

Notable residents

Actress and model Shannon Tweed was born in St. John's, but raised in Markland.