Brigus is a historic very English seaside town only one hour's drive from St. John's. It has the honor of being the home of Arctic explorer Captain Bob Bartlett who enabled American Commander Robert Edwin Peary to make his trip to the North Pole in 1909. Captain Bartlett was one of Newfoundland's best known captains and explorers. Numerous historical sites and attractions, architecture, rock walls, the Blueberry Festival, hiking trails and live events draw many tourists to the community. The famous American artist-illustrator Rockwell Kent resided there during the First World War.
Although no one knows for sure when Brigus was settled, one tradition is that it was settled shortly after Cupids. It is said that the settlement was started circa 1612.
