Originally know as Cat's Cove, Conception Harbour was mainly a fishing village with a good protected harbour. The earliest settlers depended mostly on the fishery. Towards the mid 1800's the Labrador fishery and the seal hunt became important. At different times in it's history the residents of the town became involved in the inshore fishery, although it was never very significant. In the early 1900's there was a lobster factory here. Around the same time there was a down turn in the cod fishery similar to what we have been experiencing in recent years. Fishermen started going to the United States particularly the Boston area to find employment. Experienced in the art of rigging of sailing ships they soon became the most sought after ironworkers in New York City.

    Nick-named "Fish" they worked in gangs of seven. The best gangs were often made up of "fish" from places like Bacon Cove and Kitchuses - places that were not yet familiar to New Yorkers! Some of them started to take their families and stay permanently.  This has a familiar ring but in our case it means that several generations of ironworkers have settled throughout North America and today still maintain their Newfoundland heritage. Many continued to work and maintain their families here in Newfoundland as they do today.  Our workers soon established themselves in the "High Steel" industry. They have become well recognized for their bravery and skill in this industry and as a result have been involved in most major construction projects in the United States and Canada. ie: Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, C.N. Tower and most recently Hibernia G.B.S. at Bull Arm.