Matthews House, Alberton

     It's a wintry blustery day here in Alberton - just took a drive around town and snapped a couple photos of the old Matthews House at the end of Elder Street facing west.

     For a number of year Mr. & Mrs. Hebert Matthews operated a turkey farm here beginning in 1939 until 1966.  By8the early 1950s it was reputed to be the largest turkey farm in the Maritime Provinces with a capacity of as many as 10,000 mature birds.  At its peak 72,000 day-old pouts were sold in one year.  They had incubators with a capacity to hatch 10,000 eggs in one hatch.  Info. from...Footprints on the Sands of Time: A History of Alberton.
    Mrs. Matthews was Bertha Carruthers of Carleton.  The Matthews had two children, Gordon and Barbara.  Bertha went to P.W.C. and taught at Tryon, Carleton and Alberton.

1854 R.T. Holman Homestead, Summerside - will it be demolished or preserved?

     There has been much talk on the Island this week with news the owners of the historic R.T. Holman house have applied for a demolition permit from the City of Summerside.  They have owned the house for 15 years and now have it for sale, however, with no interest from potential buyers, they have decided to keep their options open by applying for a demolition permit.  The large property on Summer Street, across from City Hall, is located in the downtown where a vacant lot is more valuable to developers than a lot with an historic home on it.  The owners would prefer to see the house preserved!
     The following are photos I took of the Holman House on Oct. 26, 2012.

      The following are a variety of articles and links to information about the house.

http://historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=16273&pid=0

https://www.realtor.ca/Residential/Single-Family/14988523/286-FITZROY-Street-SUMMERSIDE-Prince-Edward-Island-C1N1J2

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2015-12-18/article-4380713/Tentative-plans-in-the-works-to-preserve-Holman-Homestead%26nbsp%3B/1

Palmer Road Parish Church

     A few weeks ago I went to see Ricky Ellis (carpenter & painter from West Point) at Palmer Road Parish Church in western Prince Edward Island - he was putting on eaves troughs, his final job following a couple of years of exterior restorations and painting.  
     As noted previous in this blog, Immaculate Conception Palmer Road is the largest wooden church on Prince Edward Island and seats about 1,000 people.
    Below, first is a photo of the church I took of the church in the summer of 2014 - following are photos I took on November 26, 2015.

Fredericton Train Station - Demolished

     The demolish of the old Fredericton Train Station took place recently - it was expected as the it has been in ruins for quite some time.  Below are photos I took on May 5, 2014.
     For further information on the station see previous post...

http://peiheritagebuildings.blogspot.ca/2013/09/fredericton-train-station.html

Old Homestead on Sou-west River

     I tagged along with a friend the other day as he went to the shore to get seaweed to bank his house.  Here's an old homestead near the river - it appears to be used seasonally.

     The 1928 Cumin's Atlas of Prince Edward Island shows this property owned by Walford McEwen with 130 acres; Silver Fox; married to Kate Campbell.

     The Meacham's 1880 Atlas of Prince Edward Island show this property belonging to Thos Reid with 210 acres - it shows a house roughly in the location of this house - it's probably this house as the style would date to that period.

Elmsdale United Church & former Manse

     I took this photo of the Elmsdale United Church on Monday - it is one of six churches that makes up the Alberton Elmsdale Pastoral Charge - United Church of Canada.

     The Elmsdale United Church (formerly Elmsdale Presbyterian Church) was built in 1884 - construction was under the supervision of Thomas Henderson. 

     The church is located at 39948 Western Road (Rte. 2) in Elmsdale, P.E.I.

     Above;  the former Elmsdale United Church Manse, built in 1927 - it was sold in 1972 to Merrill Wallace.   This house is situated directly across the road from the church.

     Above information comes from "Goin to the Corner: A History of Elmsdale, Elmsdale West and Brockton." Volume 1: The Community.

Unhappy Wife - Door Knobs - Great Fire

     When I saw this 1920 photo of Belmont House come up on Earles Picture Restoration page on Facebook I thought I'd post the story below from the book, "Sketches of Old St. Eleanors" 1973.
https://www.facebook.com/EarlesPictureRestoration/photos/a.140276459512153.1073741826.140204746185991/430937687112694/?type=3&theater

     Belmont House on St. Peter’s Rd in East Royalty/Charlottetown is reputed to be similar to the one burned down, but is not identical.

* * * * * * * * * *

A Fascinating Story as told by William R. Brennan.

“I know not the truth as it may be - I only know the tale as it was told to me.”

            A Col. Compton of England married a young lady, she was said to be the most beautiful girl in all the land.  When the Col. Received a grant of land in Prince Edward Island, there was much persuasion to induce his lovely wife to leave her native land to come to a new country to live.

            She at last promised her husband that if he would first come and build her a fine home, completely furnished, that she would come with him to settle in the new land.  When everything was in readiness they sailed for Prince Edward Island.

            After crossing the Atlantic and sailing through the Gulf of Richmond Bay, they anchored their vessel off the shores of North St. Eleanor’s.  The young couple walked together from the shore through the fields some distance to their new dwelling.  HE was indeed proud to show her this new home with beautiful furnishing, some of which came from England and some from New England.

            He showed her through the downstairs going from room to room and then they inspected the upstairs.  After everything has been explored the two went outdoors to view the garden and surroundings, and when this was done, he asked his beautiful wife how she liked her new home.  She replied, “The only thing I like about the place are the doorknobs.”

            The Col. then turned, went into the house, removed all the doorknobs , tied them in a string bag, returned to the outdoors, handed his wife the bag with knobs, then immediately he set fire to the new dwelling and all the furnishings.

            That winter they lived in Bedeque and suffered many hardships in the long cold winter.  They were compelled to sell some of the family jewellery to buy the necessities of life.

Charming Churches Christmas Festival - brilliant!!

This article appeared on the Journal-Pioneer website today...

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2015-11-06/article-4335000/Christmas-festival-breathes-new-life-into-P.E.I.-churches/1

Christmas festival breathes new life into P.E.I. churches

Desiree Anstey / Journal Pioneer / Published on November 06, 2015

© Google Street View / St. Mark's Anglican Church in Kensngton

Festival in Charming Churches is an all-new Christmas-themed storytelling and music event taking place in architecturally and acoustically remarkable churches over three weekends in late November and early December. “We intend to make this such a special event that we feel folks will travel from away to see and hear uplifting, as well as, poignant sights and sounds of the season,” said creator Ray Brow. “Shops, restaurants and accommodations on P.E.I. rarely get visitors in November but with the variety of shows and experimental events there should be something to draw persons of all ages...and the net benefit is an important cause.”  The not-for-profit fundraiser will feature 18 shows provincewide with the goal of contributing to the Syrian refugee crisis campaign, as well as, providing a measure of support for local churches.  “This is a way every Islander can do a small part in raising money for the Syrian refugees,” said Brow.  The idea was sparked from the award-winning Festival of Small Halls.  Historic St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Kensington is hosting a children’s show scheduled on December 6.  The event is associated with the ‘Festival in Charming Churches’ and will also coincide with a Santa Parade. singers, songwriters, fiddlers and storytellers back to their roots, in charming rural settings.  “After years of running the Festival of Small Halls I realized there were additional largely unknown community treasures across the Island that needed to be discovered just as the halls were back in 2008.”  Before the Festival in Charming Churches officially kicks off, associated events will pave the way.  Brow explained that Georgetown is leading the pack with a "Black Tie Affair" fundraiser - the first of its kind.  Georgetown Baptist congregation volunteers are acting as servers.  All the food, meal preparation and prizes have been donated by businesses and members of the surrounding community.  A talented storyteller or two will regale the crowd and fine music will enhance the evening,” he said.  The Black Tie Affair is scheduled on Nov. 21, at 6 p.m., and has three beneficiaries.  Tickets are $55 with the proceeds to be split between Playhouse, Destination Georgetown (volunteer community group working to better Georgetown’s future) and $5 of each ticket to the Syrian Refugee Relief.  Brow hopes the festival will grow into a new Christmas tradition and annually support a charitable cause, and provide a measure of support for Island churches.  “We want to bring more smiles to faces across the province second only to Santa’s Christmas Eve visit. However, the Christmas themed marketing will only be launched the day after Remembrance Day out of respect for our veterans.”

For more information on the event visit:

http://www.charmingchurches.org

1853 Panmure Island Lighthouse

     This article appeared on the CBC PEI website yesterday...

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/prince-edward-island/panmure-lighthouse-renovations-1.3304695

 Panmure Lighthouse group needs more volunteers

Open house being held to attract more muscle and brain for lighthouse reno

CBC News / November 4, 2015

     The Panmure Island Lighthouse Association is trying to drum up more support to help with renovations, and to keep the lighthouse going.  The group is holding an open house next week in Montague, trying to turn more of their plans into action.  Regally placed at the end of the beach, it's one of the most photographed lighthouses in the Maritimes.

Jackie Brown of the Panmure Island Lighthouse Association calls

the causeway one of the most beautiful views in P.E.I. (CBC)

     "The Panmure causeway is one of the most beautiful views in P.E.I.," said Jackie Brown, president of the lighthouse association. "When you drive over the causeway to Panmure Island and you see the lighthouse... I would hate to think what would happen if that lighthouse...if that wasn't there. It would be very sad."

Lighthouses decommissioned

     That almost happened four years ago, when the federal government decommissioned 40 P.E.I. lighthouses.  The Panmure association was formed to save it, and will soon take over ownership. Now the real challenge begins, making the much-needed renovations with just an $80,000 federal grant.  The first level will be the gift shop. Before the snow falls, the floors, walls and ceiling will all come down to reveal the original wood underneath. That's to show everyone the oldest wooden lighthouse on P.E.I., built in 1853.  Next summer, they'll tackle the exterior painting.  "We're very anxious to see the lighthouse painted," said Glenna Campbell-Peardon, a volunteer. "That's going to be my first big celebration, when we see this all nice and white again with the red trim. It's going to be beautiful."

The second floor will become a museum, showcasing artifacts and historic information about the building, and its keepers.  "We find that people that visit this lighthouse are fascinated with the history of the lighthouse, how it came about, and the fact that it's 162 years old," said Roger Gallant, another volunteer with the lighthouse association.

Brain and muscle needed

     So far, about 100 people have joined the association, donating $10 a year in support.

But only a small number of them have been doing the hands-on work, and coming up with an action plan.  That's why the call for more help, especially from graphic designers, history buffs, ane young people with fresh ideas. The open house will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the CBDC Building, 540 Main St. in Montague.

O'Connell-McCabe-O'Shea Store, Iona

    The previous post in this blog show's this old country store in Iona being destroyed by fire yesterday.  It was located at 1788 Iona Road where it intersects with the Selkirk Road.

     According to CBC PEI News online today, the store was owned by Leo and Florence O'Shea who had operated O'Shea's Grocery here until 1993 and since it was not a store.  The family also noted "...it had been in operation for 200 years."

     Below are photos from Google Maps.

     According to Meacham's 1880 Atlas of Prince Edward Island (see map below from the Atlas) the store was owned by Jno O'Connell with 2 acres and a Store.

     In the Cumin's 1928 Atlas of Prince Edward Island, the store was owned by James McCabe with 10 acres.  It notes he was married to Annie (Anastasia Cairns) with the following children:  Annie, Mary, Margaret and Louise.  According to the McCabe genealogy on the Island Register ( http://www.islandregister.com/mccabe1.html ) James' (1859-1942) daughter Mary J. (1897-1961) "...owned and ran the McCabe store in Iona."

Former store & barn burn, Iona

CBC PEI News report-

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-house-fire-iona-1.3296605

House, barn fire underway in Iona, P.E.I.

Belfast firefighters have shut down a portion of Route 23 while they fight fire

CBC News Posted: Oct 30, 2015 12:59 PM AT Last Updated: Oct 30 1:40 PM AT

The fire in Iona was discovered by a passing driver around noon Friday.
( Submitted photo )

     RCMP and firefighters are on the scene of a house and barn fire on P.E.I. at the intersection of the Selkirk and Iona Roads.  The Belfast Fire Department is working to fight the blaze and have closed a portion of Route 23.   Staff Sgt. Kevin Bailey of Montague RCMP told CBC News officers were the first on scene shortly after noon.   "It appears that the fire is likely going to affect both the barn and the attached house," said Bailey.  "Both will likely be a total loss."   Bailey said the residents were not at home at the time. Their relatives are at the scene.   RCMP are asking drivers to avoid the area. 

                                                                                                  - With files from Angela Walker

Heritage Homes History, Property Ownership, Kensington

ISLAND NARRATIVES PROGRAM

Kensington, PEI Heritage Homes History of Property Ownership

KenNet Research Team Winter 2011 

This report contains over 250 ownership profiles of Kensington,

Prince Edward Island’s historic homes. 

Kensington Seniors Surfers Computer Club ©2011

http://137.149.200.109:8080/fedora/get/cap:2517/OBJ

Due to copyright I will show an example property using my photos -

on Page 225 can be found information of the

Crowley-Yeo-Brander House at 74 Victoria Street West

The first transfer of this property was in Dec. 1926 from Crowley to Jardine

Above Photos January 2012 / Below side view October 2015