Its name was recorded as "Parlican" as early as 1597. "Old" was added sometime later to distinguish it from New Perlican; the latter is located further up the bay.
It was settled by at least 1640. A "planter" (an early settler or colonist) named John Barrett (1654-1714) lived there after arriving from Poole, England in 1711. One of, if not, the oldest recorded English land transaction in Newfoundland archives is between John Barrett and John Carter in 1711 in Old Perlican. The original is in the St. John's archives and a photocopy hangs in the Old Perlican Town Hall.
Timeline
1597 - Old Perlican was first mentioned as "Parlican". At this time, Old Perlican is a summer fishery station for migratory fishermen.
1675 - First Newfoundland Census lists fourteen planters.
1697 - (February) - French under D'Iberville capture Old Perlican. They report that there are "19 houses, several stores, more than thirty head of horned cattle, and a number of sheep and pigs". During King William's War, the village was destroyed in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign.
1729 - Old Perlican is one of 11 harbors in Newfoundland to warrant the appointment of justice of the peace.
1856 - Way Office established.
1883 - First Postmaster was George Tuff.
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Old Perlican had a population of 608 living in 253 of its 316 total private dwellings, a change of -3.9% from its 2016 population of 633. With a land area of 14.14 km2 (5.46 sq mi), it had a population density of 43.0/km2 (111.4/sq mi) in 2021.[1]
Attractions
Old Perlican Harbour Authority
Beckett Heritage Property
Historical Graves
"The Captains Inn" bed and breakfast
Trinity South D'Iberville Trail (Northern Terminus)
