Category Archives: History

West River Pioneers

As we dig ourselves out after the latest major blizzard, consider this article that appeared in The Guardian on September 13th, 1947, that describes the lives of our early ancestors, “The West River Pioneers”. It notes that the article was written by Alex C. Shaw. West River Pioneers The borders of West River, in the year 1800, had but few settlers.Continue reading “West River Pioneers”

Skating on Christie’s Pond

I interviewed my mother Hazel Beer back in 2011 about Christie’s Pond on Bannockburn Road where she and her friends came together back in the 1930s for skating parties. Our Capturing Collective Memories from Seniors initiative discovered two photos. If you have any others, please let me know. Christie’s Pond, located about a half mile in the BannockburnContinue reading “Skating on Christie’s Pond”

Blois Beer Wins Gold at Canada Seniors Games

Blois Beer got his start in hockey on the ice pond behind his home on the Bannockburn at age 5 and, this year, his Alberta team called the Wolf Pack won gold at the Canada Seniors Games. Blois’ work career has taken him from PEI to New Brunswick, Manitoba and for the last many years,Continue reading “Blois Beer Wins Gold at Canada Seniors Games”

Hector Darrach Family – Farming & Fishing in the 1920s

Photos and story from the “Capturing Collective Memories” Library – The following historical piece was written by Lee Darrach (1916-2000), son of Hector Alexander Darrach (1883-1971). It offers us insight on how farms along the Clyde River supplemented their income by fishing on the Clyde River and adjoining West River. Hector Alexander Darrach was born on his father’s farm inContinue reading “Hector Darrach Family – Farming & Fishing in the 1920s”

Remembering the Great War

This gallery features photos taken by Robert (Bob) Brennan who travelled with three friends in April-May 2012 to Flanders Fields in Belgium and Northern France where most of the Canadian losses occurred during the Great War, August 4th, 1914 to Nov. 11th, 1918, later to be known as World War I. The friends had spokenContinue reading “Remembering the Great War”

My Mother’s Scrapbook: Service Honors War Sacrifices (1991)

There was a special service organized at the Riverview Community Centre in 1991 which was sponsored by the Clyde River Women’s Institute to honor the community’s veterans of past wars. Here is the story. (news clipping from Hazel Beer’s collection): Service Honors War Sacrifices – Early service held at Riverview Community Centre A special RemembranceContinue reading “My Mother’s Scrapbook: Service Honors War Sacrifices (1991)”

My Mother’s Scrapbook – A Herd of Cattle to Dawson City (1898)

Frank Gillespie’s story of adventure during the Klondike Gold Rush has me temporarily hooked on adventure stories from those days. I found a news clipping in My Mother’s Scrapbook about another Island chap, Donald MacKinnon written by Frank MacArthur in The Guardian, 1943. Here’s an excerpt from the story (Hazel Beer’s scrapbook): ******* Mr. MacKinnon was 90Continue reading “My Mother’s Scrapbook – A Herd of Cattle to Dawson City (1898)”

My Mother’s Scrapbook: Early Automobiles – (1913-1919)

“In 1916, W.K. Rogers of Charlottetown offered his car to a young officer to visit his family in Tignish before going overseas. It was the first car to be driven from Charlottetown to Tignish. Rogers was fined several times, but he never paid them.” from The Guardian We continue the entertaining excerpts featured in theContinue reading “My Mother’s Scrapbook: Early Automobiles – (1913-1919)”

My Mother’s Scrapbook: Early Automobiles – (1904-1908)

“Autos must be hung up for all time…a $500 tax…we have no right to allow such a nuisance on PEI…only a foolish fad of millionaires and fools.” From a letter to The Guardian in early 1900s The early days of automobiles in Prince Edward Island are full of humorous stories, although certainly not funny atContinue reading “My Mother’s Scrapbook: Early Automobiles – (1904-1908)”