From the early 1500s, Europeans came to this region seasonally to fish and hunt whales and seals. In the early 19th century families began to settle permanently in the area.Jersey fishing merchants had establishments in Blanc Sablon and Forteau. Through these companies, fishermen came to settle here including the Dumaresq family at L'Anse au Cotard. The Dumaresq family are the "Grandparents" of L'Anse au Clair. Many of their descendants still live in the community.

Discovered by archaeologists in 1986, one of the early Jersey settlements was at L'Anse au Cotard, located between L'Anse au Clair and the Quebec border. This site was the focus of archaeological excavations in 2004. Three stone structures were identified at the site, which is still above ground. There is a man-made stone walkway that extends the length of the site, a kind of trademark of the Jersey presence in the area.

The town has developed a walking trail along the shoreline that leads to the remains of the fishing rooms of the Jersey fishing family who first settled here - along the original trail walked by the Jersey settlers themselves.

Begin your tour at the Gateway to Labrador Visitor Centre, where you'll see an exhibit of artefacts found at the Jersey Rooms site. It's a 3 km hike from the Gateway to the Jersey fishing rooms at L'Anse au Cotard, near the Quebec/Labrador border. This includes a 1 km walk through Old L'Anse au Clair, where the first settlers built thier homes. The trail continues around the bay to the Ugly Spot and the site of two other early homes. The trail is marked with interpretive panels along the entire route.

You can find more photos of the Jersey Rooms and Jersey Trail, including photos of artefacts found at the site, in our photo gallery in the Jersey Rooms Photo Album.