Why St. John’s Streets Are Missing House Number 19

In Newfoundland, the number 19 holds a long-standing reputation as a social taboo, once serving as widespread slang for an outdoor toilet. According to records and oral histories cited by Philip Hiscock, professor emeritus of folklore at Memorial University, the aversion was so strong that residents in cities like St. John’s historically refused to live in houses numbered 19, leading local governments to omit the number from street address sequences to this day.

The Origins of a Provincial Taboo

The “smelliest number” on the island likely traces its roots to the early days of golf. Philip Hiscock notes that before the term “19th hole” became synonymous with modern clubhouse bars, it referred to the outhouse on a golf course. As the Newfoundland Golf Club opened in 1896 at Buckmaster’s Field in St. John’s, the local caddies and residents adopted the term, eventually embedding it into the city’s vernacular.

While the Newfoundland Golf Club only featured nine holes, the association between the number 19 and outdoor privies flourished. As indoor plumbing became standard across the province, the literal necessity for the “19th hole” vanished, but the cultural stigma against the number 19 persisted in real estate and personal life for decades.

Impact on St. John’s City Planning

The refusal to live in a “number 19” home forced municipal planners to adjust city maps. Randy Cooper, who researched the phenomenon through St. John’s City Archives, discovered that several streets—including Mullock, Cook, and Gear streets—omitted the number entirely in the 1920s. On Cabot Street, planners opted for the unconventional “17 ½” to avoid the dreaded designation.

Personal anecdotes confirm the depth of this cultural aversion. Cooper recounts how his grandparents, George and Jean Gulliver, successfully petitioned the city in the 1940s to change their Smith Avenue address from 19 to 21. Even as late as the 1960s, residents on Whiteway Street resisted renumbering schemes, with one homeowner going so far as to paint over the number 19 on their property to retain the number 17.

Pro Tips: Investigating Local Folklore

• Check Property Maps: City insurance maps from the early 20th century are excellent resources for identifying historical street renumbering projects.
• Consult Oral Histories: Family stories often provide the “why” behind municipal records, as seen in the Gulliver family’s successful petition to the city.
• Look for Gaps: If you are walking through older neighborhoods in St. John’s, check for missing house numbers between 17 and 21; they often signal where the 19-taboo once dictated planning.

Future Trends in Municipal Naming

While the “number 19” superstition is fading as newer generations move into historic districts, the legacy remains etched in the physical landscape. However, the preservation of these missing numbers provides a unique window into the social history of Newfoundland, serving as a reminder that urban design is often influenced by the evolving folklore of its inhabitants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the number 19 considered unlucky in Newfoundland?

It was traditional slang for an outdoor toilet, likely stemming from early golf course terminology where the outhouse was jokingly referred to as the 19th hole.

Are there still streets in St. John’s without a number 19?

Yes. Several streets, including Smith Avenue and Morris Avenue, still lack a number 19 due to historical resident objections.

Where can I find more information on this history?

The St. John’s City Archives contain historical insurance maps and records that document street renumbering efforts from the early 20th century.

Have you encountered a missing house number in your neighborhood or heard stories about local superstitions? Share your findings in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into regional history.