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James Mullally Blacksmith Shop, Kensington

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     A few weeks ago I was in Kensington for the weekend, we took a walk to the Railroad Station and walked by this building - I didn't realize this was a blacksmith shop moved here - I thought it was a replica.
     The only thing I can find about James Mullally is that in 1930 he obtained the property at 8 Francis Street in Kensington.
     I will do further research.
Below is a better image from Flickr

Heritage Homes History, Property Ownership, Kensington

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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

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
   

Former store & barn burn, Iona

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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

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

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    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."

1853 Panmure Island Lighthouse

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

Charming Churches Christmas Festival - brilliant!!

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

Unhappy Wife - Door Knobs - Great Fire

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     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 Atlanticand 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.

Elmsdale United Church & former Manse

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    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.

Old Homestead on Sou-west River

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     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.

Fredericton Train Station - Demolished

Revd Canon Robert C. Tuck - PEI Architectural Historian dies

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    The following obituary appears on the Guardian Newspaper's website today:
     Peacefully at the Mount on Monday, November 16, 2015 of The Reverend Canon Robert C. Tuck of Charlottetown, age 88 years. Beloved husband of Catherine (Greene). Loving father of Beth (Tuck) (Jonathan) Eayrs and Alan. Foster parent to Rick (Barbara) Rayner and Helen Rayner. Grandpa to Sylvia and Edith Eayrs, Isabel MacLellan and Ivan Morse. Brother of Mary Tuck Corelli and Barbara McAndrew. Also survived by sister-in-law Barbara Tuck and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by grandson Frederick Eayrs and brother The Reverend Edward Tuck. Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral from St. Peter's Cathedral on Thursday at 10 a.m. Interment in St. Peter's Cathedral Anglican Cemetery. If so desired, memorials to St. Peter's Cathedral would be appreciated. Visiting at All Souls' Chapel, St. Peter's Cathedral on Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com.

     CBC PEI website also reports the passing of CanonTuck...
     A pillar of the Anglican church in P.E.I., Canon Robert Tuck, has died in Charlottetown at the age of 88.  His son, musician Alan Tuck, said his father died early Monday morning of old age after suffering from dementia.  Robert Tuck was a great-nephew of William Critchlow Harris, a prolific Island architect of the late 1800s. 
"He brought attention and regard to William Harris that had been pretty much been lacking," said Alan Tuck.  Tuck authored Gothic Dreams: the Life and Times of a Canadian Architect William Critchlow Harris, as well as Churches of Nova Scotia, and co-authored Heritage Houses of Prince Edward Island.
He also released two collections of his editorial cartoons, which appeared originally in the Journal Pioneer newspaper and the Eastern Graphic, and wrote and spoke extensively about Island architecture, religion, and history. Tuck was born in in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia in 1927, graduated from Dalhousie University with an arts degree, then trained for the Anglican priesthood at St Michael's College in Wales before being ordained in 1954. He married his wife Catherine in 1959 and had two children, Al and Beth, as well as two foster children, Rick and Helen Rayner. He served at churches in Nova Scotia before working at St. Mary's in Summerside from 1964 to 1975 and was priest in charge of King's County for 1975 through 1993. He was also a Canon of St. Peter's Church in Charlottetown.  Following in his great-uncle's footsteps, Tuck also designed churches he had built for Anglican use in Montague and Souris. He received recognition for his historical scholarship with awards from the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation and the Canadian Historical Association, as well as an honorary doctorate from the University of King's College in Halifax. He is survived by his wife Catherine, sisters Barbara MacAndrew and Mary Corelli, children Alan and Elizabeth, and grandchildren Edith & Sylvia Eayrs, Isabel MacLellan, and Ivan Morse.
     Below are images of the books Canon Tuck published / co-published ( images come from www.amazon.ca website ).

     Canon Tuck was an artist and cartoonist.  Many may recall his political cartoons in the 1970s.  Over the years he produced a large collection of sketches of Island historic buildings - below is an example of an article he wrote and illustrated about the Town of Alberton which appeared in "The Island Magazine" No. 24, Fall/Winter 1988.   Bob Tuck penned 13 articles for the Island Magazine.   

Palmer Road Parish Church

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     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.

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

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     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.

Matthews House, Alberton

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     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.

Free Church of Scotland, Coleman - FOR SALE

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     I was surprised to see this church listed for sale today in the Penny Saver, Alberton for $39,9000.  Definately not the future the MacKay siblings of Milo pictured when they thought they were leaving their near seven figure bequeath to this church.  Apparently the wording of the Will unintentionally saw the money go to the head of the Church of Scotland and not locally.  As a United Church minister commented, "the wording in a will has often seen bequeaths go where they were not intended".
    Here's photos I took in September 2012.



Old Fashioned Picnic 1914

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     The following comes from Allan MacRae's "From the Past" column in the July 29, 2015 edition of the West Prince Graphic.  I believe the house mentioned in the write-up is the Crockett Home at 262 Marchbank Road (aka Jack Donald Rd) in Montrose, beside Marchbank Pond.  This area was in the district of Alma Post Office.
     Below is a poor image from Google Street View. When my father was young in the 1930s this was the home of Alley Crockett and now his great grandson Shane Crockett.

 Old fashion picnic at Alma, Lot 3, enjoyed by everyone in attendance, 1914.
     "On Saturday, 27th of June 1914, the Greenmount Ball Club was invited by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Alley to hold a picnic at the Abeqweit Silver-Black Fox Co.'s ranch at Alma, Lot 3.  Sunny weather, field games, hot chocolate, a basket lunch, home-made ice-cream and ginger tonic were enjoyed by all in attendance.""Summerside Journal," 8 July 1914.
     "The long piazza of the Alley Ranch was prettily decorated with large tissue decorated with large tissue paper plumes of colors of the rainbow.  A hammock and easy chairs on the piazza and lawn made the guests very comfortable.  The prettily arranged parlours and den were opened all day and were enjoyed by everyone."
     "Field games were played and all enjoyed the ball game for hours, the ladies doing extra good work at the bat as well as making many home runs."
     "At 4:30pm our hosts served delicious hot chocolate, together with basket lunches and three large freezers of home-made ice-cream, washed down with a case of ginger tonic furnished by members of the ball club.  Altogether we spent a most enjoyable hour.  After lunch we returned to the ball grounds where we passed the rest of the day in games."
     Messrs. Perley Haywood and Arthur Carruthers, the Misses Estell Haywood, Ella Rennie and Fannie Ramsay from Tignish; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rayner, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Rayner, James Rayner and daughters, the Misses Ruth and Amanda; Mrs. Brenton O'Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hammill and son Frank and daughter Iona from Greenmount; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Platts, and Mr. and Mrs. William Leonard from Kildare Capes.  The invited guests were Mr. Lynch and Mr. John Rayner from Greenmount, Dr. Lynch from Brookline, Mass., Mr. Trask from Boston and Master Gordon Ramsay from Alberton."
     "The day was an ideal one and party broke up at 7:00pm with the declaration that his was the most enjoyable picnic of the season!"

Bev & Bill Bishop PEI House Reno

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    I was going through some old files and papers recently and came across this article which I believe appeared in "Century Home Magazine" (later Canadian Home & Country Magazine) sometime around 2001.   The story tells about a renovation by Bev and Bill Bishop of Bedeque.

The Sandstone Houses of Prince Edward Island by H.M. Scott Smith 1981

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     I have a collection of "Canadian Antiques & Art Review" magazines - they are a great source of Canadian history and sometimes feature articles on Prince Edward Island history.
     I scanned this article about Island sandstone houses which appeared in the August/September 1981 issue - the article was written by H.M. Scott Smith.   Mr. Smith later published three books on the architecture of Prince Edward Island.

2016 Prince Edward Island Heritage Awards

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   The following article appeared on the Guardian Newspaper today by Doug Gallant...
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2016-02-18/article-4440122/P.E.I.-Heritage-Awards-recognize-accomplishments/2
     Geoffrey Paton of Charlottetown receives a Heritage Award from Lt.-Gov. Frank Lewis for research on Geoffrey's ancestor, Samuel Cunard.

     It was a night to shine the spotlight on significant contributions to Island heritage, as the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation handed out its annual awards Tuesday.
     The ceremony, held at Eptek Art and Culture Centre in Summerside, kicks off Heritage Week on Prince Edward Island.
     Among the night’s winners were Wayne and Janice Trowsdale, who received the Volunteer of the Year Award for their work with the Bideford Parsonage Museum in Ellerslie.
     Wayne said he was surprised to even be nominated for an award, but noted it was a welcome honour. He and Janice led a campaign to save the home, which is now the museum, from being moved out of the community, and, along with many other volunteers, have given a lot of time to its upkeep.
     “It’s a labour of love for us. We’ve put a lot of hours into it … It’s kind of our baby, I guess,” said Wayne.
     “We’re very honourd to be recognized. We’d continue to do it if we weren’t recognized, but it’s certainly nice. We appreciate that very much.”
     Earle Lockerby of Sanford, Ont., and Doug Sobey of Bedeque were recognized for their collaboration on the book, “Samuel Holland, His Work and Legacy on Prince Edward Island,” which was named the foundation’s publication of the year.
     The Port Hill Women's Institute in Tyne Valley was awarded the Mary Cornfoot Brehaut Award, which recognizes an outstanding example of merging community history with genealogy.
     Other Prince County winners were Peggy Hammill and Marlene Campbell, both from the Bedeque area, who received a heritage award for their book, “More Than I Expected: The Story of Peggy McIver Hammill”, and the Knutsford Women's Institute for work in creating community history panels to enhance its programming.
      Handing out the awards was P.E.I.’s Lt.-Gov. Frank Lewis.
      Also, during the evening, Culture Minister Doug Currie presented plaques designating five buildings as heritage properties in the province.

HL: And the winners are:
- Sterling Stratton, Charlottetown - Irene Rogers Award recognizing long-time work in promotion of architectural awareness on P.E.I.
- Roy Campbell and Robert Gelineau, Vancouver, B.C., for preservation of the Nathanial -Wright House, Bedeque.
- Gretha Rose for preservation of the Bourke House, Charlottetown.
- SilverOrange for preservation of 84 Fitzroy St., Charlottetown.
- Geoff Hussey for the book, “Charlie of Île Saint Jean”.
- Reg Porter, Belle River, and Richard Campanaro, Charlottetown, for creating a guidebook and research manual for Government House.
- Geoffrey Paton, Charlottetown, for researching and interpreting the life and work of Samuel Cunard.
- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown for work restoring and enhancing the 1843-1883 cemetery in Charlottetown.
- Victoria Historical Association for work celebrating Victoria’s heritage.
- Karen Mair, “MainStreet,” CBC Radio  Wendell Boyle Award for promoting and supporting heritage on P.E.I.
- Reg "Dutch" Thompson - Award of Honour for outstanding contributions in the field of heritage on P.E.I.
Robert Harding, Summerville - Natural Heritage Activity Award.

The Brick House, Stratford - demolished!

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    The "Brick House" in Stratford was torn down this week - it was located at 29 Stratford Road.  
     It's gone for good!!   There are few 188-year-old buildings left on Prince Edward Island.  I undertand the building was in poor condition, but there should have been some effort put in to saving it.  The first I heard of its impending demise this afternoon on CBC Radio's loccal Mainstreet Island news.
     The Brick House was built in 1928 by William Mutch (1811-1884) aka. Brickhouse William. He had 200-acres of land here.  The Mutch family lived in this house for many generation until it was sold out of the family in 1959 to Richard MacKinnon.  
     Brick houses are rare in rural Prince Edward Island - of the nine brick kilns operating on Prince Edward Island in the 19th-century, seven of them were located in Lot 48/ Stratford and Area. 
     The above information comes from the Historic Places website: 
 I took the above photo on Feb. 12, 2003 / Below photos Historic Places Website 2008
Showing front elevation
Showing side elevation
     Below is an article written by Nancy Smith of Emyvale, P.E.I - she was a former member of Winsloe South United Church, one of the few brick churches on the Island.
Give Them Clay and They Will Make Bricks
By Nancy J. Smith - January 12, 1999
We are well aware of the hard work and creativity of our Island ancestoers and here is yet another example of their ingenuity.  Clay or ‘brick clay’ as commonly called, causes filtration problems and sets limits for land use.  The presence of clay is suspected in areas with a number of  springs and or swampy conditions and can be identified by its very plastic and greasy texture when wet.
The clayey type till, prominent in the western and south central parts of the Island, consists of silt and claystone (up to 3 meters thick) and accounts for approximately 30% of the exposed soils types.  
Jim Young, Paul Baker, Scott Stewart and George Gaudet live in an area which is known for it prominent clay soils.  Jim will tell you that his property in Stratford would not handle an on site system because of the clay structure of the soil but because of  central sewer areas like Zakem Heights, where he lives, are developed on a larger scale.
 In the book, A History of Southport,the chapter on businesses begins with the brick kilns.  It states “ The brick industry in Southport was once very important to the Island economy.  Of the nine kilns operating in the late 19th century, seven were in Lot 48.  The good brick clays as found in Southport were relatively rare on the Island.  Most (bricks) were used for chimneys and foundations.”   In Charlottetown, Southport bricks can be seen in the Prowse Bros. building, the Masonic Temple, Trinity United Church and City Hall.   And it has been said that the bricks were also used in the construction of the streets in Boston.
Tignish and Rocky Point are areas also known for their brickyards which operated throughout the 1800’s. The Main Building on the Campus of UPEI and Tignish’s St Simon and St Jude Church (1861) are  made from bricks manufactured in Tignish.  The history of the Winsloe South United Church  refers to the winter of  1880 when the horse and sleigh convoy traveled to Rocky Point for bricks to build the church.  Even though the Rocky Point  brickyard closed in the 1880’s it is still indicated on the PEI’s 1988 soils map as a bored pit, this is an indication of  just how restrictive uses for clay soil areas can be.
The Water Resources Division is certianly aware of the problems associated with brick clay or tight soil conditions. With the use of soils maps, well drillers records, onsite inspections and experiences the low permeability areas are identified.  Improvements in technology has allowed for some of theses areas to be utilized with on site sewage disposle units such as contour trenches systems or package treatment plants.
Today, through research and development Islanders, like their ancestors, continue to show their ingenuity for problem solving. 
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