This riding was created in 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation.

It initially consisted of the Districts of Placentia West, Burin, Fortune Bay-Hermitage, and Burgeo and LaPoile and all the unorganized territory bounded on the North and West by the District of Grand Falls, on the South by the Districts of Burgeo and LaPoile and Fortune Bay-Hermitage, on the East by the Districts of Trinity North, Bonavista South and Bonavista North.

In 1952, it was redefined to consist of the Districts of Placentia West excluding the Iona Islands, Burin, Fortune Bay and Hermitage and Burgeo and LaPoile.

In 1966, it was redefined to consist of the provincial districts of Placentia West, Burin, Burgeo and LaPoile, and those parts of the provincial districts of Fortune Bay, Hermitage, Grand Falls and St. George's not included in the electoral districts of Gander-Twillingate, Grand Falls-White Bay-Labrador and Humber-St. George's-St. Barbe.

This riding elected the following members of Parliament: On Mr. Carter being called to the Senate, 8 July 1966