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

The Old St. Michael's Rectory, Iona

I was traveling again in eastern PEI.  I was through Iona and spotted this lovely old house - known as "Seven Hills Tourist Home".  It is located adjacent to St. Michael's Catholic Church and was once the Parish Rectory.  It was built around 1870 and occupied by resident priests from 1884-1986.  (cf. A Faith Walk: Diocese of Charlottetown by Revd Art O'Shea)

The house  is center gable style with an elaborate window in the gable featuring a trapezoid top.  The house features a verandah, side square bay and much eave and verandah trim.

The house is listed with kijiji for summer rental and has interior photos - check it out...

http://vacations.kijiji.ca/c-Canada-Prince-Edward-Island-Other-Prince-Edward-Island-Seven-Hills-Tourist-Home-W0QQAdIdZ213895416

Located near this house is Red Lane Gardens who specialize in growing day lilies.  The above photos are a few from my garden - they're amazing!!  Check out their website... http://www.redlanegardens.com/Growing_Daylilies.html