Rock Solid Trivia Quiz

Answer: Blow-Me-Down

Blow Me Down was once a settlement, back in the days of European exploration of the New World. Legend has it that one Captain Messervey moored his ships in the Bay of Islands, below a magnificent mountain that thrust 650 metres up out of the water. Upon seeing this sight, he exclaimed, "I hope they don't blow me down!"

In addition to the mountain and the provincial park, the name Blow-Me-Down is also carried by a brook, a bridge, and a boardwalk trail.

Answer: Cow Head

Cow Head was originally settled in the early 1800s, but did not always carry the name Cow Head nor Tête de Vache. Explorer Jacques Cartier originally named the settlement Cap Pointe.

Today, the small community boasts one of Newfoundland's best and longest white-sand beaches, as well as an outstanding view of the Gros Morne National Park coastline.

Answer: Mistaken Point

In spite of its unfortunate history, there can be no mistake that Mistaken Point has value of its own. It is, in fact, the site of the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve; one of the world's best sites for Precambrian fossils. The site was first discovered by in 1967 by Indian geologist Shiva Balak Misra.

Answer: Bacon Cove

This picturesque cove has some history behind it. Sir Francis Bacon, along with some of his peers, sent an expedition of 41 men led by John Guy to found a colony in Newfoundland. They successfully settled in Cuper's Cove (also in Conception Bay), now called Cupids. The successful colony also managed to produce the first 'white' child born in Newfoundland (in 1613).

Answer: Funny Farm

Many place names in Newfoundland seem as though the namers had a very fun sense of humour, or perhaps things were so hard they just HAD to add something funny to their surroundings. Other examples of this type of name include Jerry's Nose, Joe Batt's Arm, Lushes Bight, Come-By-Chance, Run-By-Guess, and Dildo.

There are more, but I want to save a couple for future questions in this quiz.

Answer: Empty Basket

As with the humourous place names, there are also more than a few names that reflect hard living on the island of Newfoundland. Here is a sampling: Gripe Point, Bleak Island, Breakheart Point, Misery Point, and Bad Bay.

Answer: Deadman's Pond

Despite the legend, Deadman's Pond does actually have a bottom, although it is an admittedly deep pond. As the name Gibbet's Hill might suggest, there were once public executions held on the cliff above Deadman's Pond. Criminals would be left to hang for days as a reminder to the residents of St. John's of the consequences of breaking the law. Once they were taken down, they would be put into a barrel and rolled down the hill into the pond below.

Answer: Ireland's Eye

Ireland's Eye was located in Trinity Bay on the east coast of Newfoundland. It was accessible only by boat, which may have led to its depopulation in 1965. Records show that it had a post office between 1941 and 1965.

Other places in Newfoundland that carried the names of Old World longing were England Harbour, Portugal Cove, Harbour Breton, Turk's Island, Frenchman's Cove, and Jersey Harbour.

Answer: Little Hearts Ease

Any of the three 'incorrect' answers would have fit right in with the many similar place names that can be found in Newfoundland. Other examples include Heart's Desire, Heart's Content, Heart's Delight, Sweet Bay, Comfort Cove, Safe Harbour, and Little Paradise.

Little Hearts Ease was dubbed in 1612 by the Governor of Cupids (the aforementioned John Guy, who came to Conception Bay with 41 men). The harbour was one of the first places seen by subsequent colonists from England.

Answer: Nameless Cove

As the story goes, Nameless Cove was originally called Flower's Cove, but when the government men came around cataloguing place names, the neighbouring cove stole the name. Apparently, they couldn't come up with anything better, so it became known as Nameless Cove.

Located only 14 kilometers from the coast of Labrador across the Strait of Belle Isle, Nameless Cove is part of the coastal area originally mapped by James Cook in 1764. English fishermen settled the area in the early 19th century and many of the family names from that time can still be found there today.