Item
The Garrison in St. Andrews, New Brunswick
St. Andrews Herald
February 21, 1825
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor having been pleased to give his sanction to raising a Troop of Cavalry in the District of the First Battalion of the Charlotte County Militia; such young and active Men as are desirous to enroll themselves herein, and furnish a good Horse, and the requisite Arms, Uniform, etc., are required to forward their names to the subscriber—within one month from this date. The Corps will then be called together, the regulations for the government thereof prepared and subscribed, for the approbation of His Excellency the Uniform and Arms determined on, and all the necessary steps taken to render the Troop efficient and respectable, with as little delay as possible.
By Order of the Lieut.-Colonel Commanding,
Robert S. Mowat
Adjutant 1st Batt.
Standard
July 9/1835
On the future of St. Andrews as watering place. See photocopy and below.
Communication, to the Editor of the Standard
Sir, All intelligence relative to the gradual rise and progress of this fine Province, as regard its localities, its commerce or agriculture, must be of deep interest to those residing in it. Possessing great natural advantages, abounding in tracts of excellent land, immense forest of timber, mines of coat that appear almost exhaustless, and large navigable rivers extending far into the interior, New Brunswick offers a field for the exertions of an enterprising people.
Very few attempts however have yet been made to disseminate information, respecting its actual condition. I am therefore induced to intrude upon you, though ill qualified for the task, a few notices on the flourishing County of Charlotte, which from its commanding situation on the borders of the Bay of Fundy, is accessible to vessels at all seasons; and from its numerous rivers has been enabled, for many years past, to maintain an extensive trade in the export of lumber and timber.
SA, the shire town, is situated at the head of the Bay of Passamaquoddy, on along narrow point, at the entrance of the River St. Croix. It was laid out in 1783, and now contains a population of nearly 2000. The streets are all at right angles, with a width of sixty feet, except the central street, which is eighty feet wide. The public buildings are, four places of worship, viz. an Episcopal Church, Scotch Kirk, Catholic Church, and Methodist Chapel, besides the Court House and Gaol, with a Grammar School. The Kirk deserves particular notice, on account of the elegance of its structure, and internal finish, having a spacious gallery, supported by rows of solid bird’s eye maple columns, and a tasteful pulpit of mahogany, beautifully inlaid with the native woods. It is acknowledged to be one of the handsomest edifices of the kind throughout the Provinces.
On the hill, in rear of the town, are the Military Grounds, which are occupied by a small detachment of soldiers.
Standard
July 17/1840
Fort Tipperary—This unsightly and antiquated erection, is miserably adapted either for the comfort of convenience of its gallant occupants. We hope to see the day, when its place will be supplied with barracks more creditable to a frontier town, and from its conspicuous situation, of a far more prepossessing exterior.
Standard
Jan 7, 1842
Temperance Procession
Pursuant to notice and according to announcement in the last number of this paper, the procession of the members of the Catholic total Abstinence Society took place on Saturday last the Instant. It was a glorious sight, well timed, commencing with the New Year, and well deserving of the warmest approbation of the philanthropist, and every well wisher of humanity. it was a glorious sight we repeat, to see some hundred so persons of all ages and sexes, an indication and guarantee, that hundreds upon hundreds will follow their brilliant example, to see them by a most public act in the face of the world, ratify the promise they had previously made, ever to abandon the use of intoxicating spirits, the great source of evils and abuses.
After the celebration of High Mass in the Catholic church, the members of the Society retired into the new and commodious School House, and having suspended their medals, appointed the flag and banner bearers, and ? on the line of route, they were drawn out into line and marched in the following order:
Band of Music
The solders of the Garrison, being members, with a blue and union flag,
Male juvenile Members of the Society, two deep, with Medals suspended from green and blue ribbons,
Females, two deep.
Banner with a full length portrait of the Apostle of Temperance, in the act of administering the Pledge to a number of postulants
Male adults, two deep, who composed a formidable body of well attired and respectable men.
Standard
March 6, 1862
View of St. Andrews and Harbour. The illustrated London News of the 1st Feb contains views of our town, Harbour and Bay. The R. M. Steamship Delta with troops on board steaming up to Gove Wharf. The view of the town hardly does justice to its size, as the houses are huddled together—whereas they cover a mile in extent. Accompanying it is a letter press description of the disembarking of the troops, etc., on the 1st January, written by a gentleman who is well and favorably known here, to whom the inhabitants will feel indebted for his able and truthful account of their landing, as well as for his neat sketch of our Town, Harbour and Bay. We trust that the next sketch will be taken from another point and show the Railway station, Workshops, and locomotives leaving for Woodstock.</p> <p> </p>
Standard
May 14, 1862
St. Andrews has at least three military companies, though some are composed of little more than mere children. New of these companies last few months. The first company formed short time ago has left for the Canada, leaving the town temporarily without arms, hence the new companies.
Standard
Oct 30/1867
Captain Osburn’s battery underwent inspection on Thursday last by the Adjutant General and Major Jago. The Company went through the exercise with precision, the men acquitting themselves well
Standard
Nov 13/1867
32 Pounders mounted at Tipperary. “When a salute is fired from them, it will be heard by the adjoining towns, east and west. Now for a flag!” The town is too poor to afford a proper flag without petitioning the taxpayers to chip in for one. This comes out later.
Standard
May 6/1868
Wanted A Union Jack!
The people of St. Andrews are proverbial for their loyalty in its true sense—not mere display and show. Well then, as the birthday of our beloved Queen is approaching, it is to be hoped that Major Stevenson or some one else will open a subscription for the purchase of a Union Jack for the fort; there is no time to be lost; scarce as money is, and hard as the times are, a sufficient sum can be raised among our loyal townsmen for the purpose. Let the Flag be owned by the Town, and no government official, or marching Regiment can then take it away, when they get the “rout.” [must be what happened perhaps after the Fenian scare] Two years ago, the good old Flag might be seen every day flying from the Staff at the fort, but on the removal of the Royal artillery they carried their flag with them. There is as much genuine loyalty here now as then, and there is no good argument against our having a Union Jack—a double emblem of our unity—raised on the Fort flag post, in honour of the birthday of Her Most Gracious Majesty queen Victoria, and observing the day as all true Britons should.
Standard
May 26, 1869
The Queen’s Birth Day
Monday last, was the finest of the season. At noon a Royal Salute was fired on the Barrack hill, by the St. Andrws Battery, under command of Leiut. Polleys; after which three hearty cheers were given for Her Majesty the Queen. On several buildings the Union Jack floated to the breeze.
In the evening a Supper was given by the Battery at the Railroad Hotel, Lieut. Polleys presidec, ably supportd by Col. J. H. Whitlock and 2d Lieut. W. Whitlock; the usual loyal toasts were drunk with three times three, and several patriotic sentiments given and responded to by Sheriff Paul. Col. Whitlock, Capt. Bolton, Serjt. Lamb of the Battery. Capt. Whitlock, Mr. Lorimer, Amerian Counsul Lt. Whitlock and othes made some happy replies; some good songs were sung and the evening passed pleasantly. It is due to Mr. Clark to say that he provided an elegant repast to which it may be added ampley justice was done. The company separated about half past nine, much pleased with the entertainment.
Pilot
May 30/1878
Jottings on the Street. No.1
Standing at the upper end of the town, and just where Harriet Street coyly touches Water Street, we look away down Water Street, taking into view as best we can its length and its breadth. One mile long it is said to be, by actual measurement. The statement is accepted.
Here, at our starting point, a look in the opposite direction sees a dilapidated building—grim and war-like-looking, even in its antiquity. It bears the name of “Block House.” “It cants its head towards”—well, the East. Whatever service it may have rendered in the past—it promises none in the present or the future. Now, on each side of the Street, here at the Harriet Junction, are private residences. Those on the water side at not so cozy-looking as their opposites—neither have they fine garden plots as have the others. A few rods bring us to a vacant water lot—and here, some 40 years ago, James Rait, Esq., carried on a great trade as Merchant and Shipbuilder. The buildings were capacious, and in keeping with his very extensive business. Those were the times when grumbling over “hard times” were at a discount. The wail of “no work” was drowned by the busy hum of business on the shore, and the cheery “yo-heave-ho,” of the gallant tars in the harbor. Farmers, too, rattling along the streets with the rural products, found ready prices.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 6/1879
*A Leisure Hour at St. Andrews. p. 2. Letter discusses CPR and prospect of St. Andrews’ development as winter port. New hotel approaching completion; Dr. Parker’s new residence. Remains of Fort Tipperary.
Pilot
Aug 18/1881
Mischievous Prank.
A New Watering Place, by R. Melville Jack.
. . . But though time has destroyed its signs of former business greatness it has had no effect on the natural beauties of the place and its surrounding. The town is built on a peninsula making out into the bar and rising in a gradual ascent from the water edge to a height of about 150 or 200 feet. This eminence, called the “Barrack Hill” from an old fort called Tipperary built upon it summit, again slopes downward on the other side until it meets the waters of Katy’s Cove, a slight indenture of the bay, while toward the landward side the country stretches away with an undulating surface dotted with farms and woods until it reaches the base of Chamcook mountain, distant about 4 miles.
Pilot
Aug 23/1888
America to the Front
Some of our American summer visitors have been indulging among themselves in their good natured fun, and shown us some of the means they take at home and abroad to work off that surplus nervous energy which has made the American character what it is: an enterprising and successful race of people, as well as a people luxurious their tastes and habits. They must do something, and if it is not business then they go for fun.
The low dead axletree wagon or dray, called with us a solvent or truck cart, being an object of interest and having caused considerable comment and wonderment among the guests at he Argyll hotel, it was suggested one day last week by some of the leading spirits that they take a drive in this wonderful production of luxury, in imitation of the buck board so much in vogue at other summer resorts. the ladies, not to be outdone in fun, thought if they were to ride in this luxurious vehicle they ought to dress in keeping with the name solvent, so to the surprise of the gentlemen, some thirty or more ladies and children attired themselves in all kinds of fantastic and amusing costumes, and when the team drew up to the steps of the hotel, marched down—not in beauty arrayed—but certainly as their friends never anticipated seeing them, in other words, the ladies outwitted the gentlemen (as they always do) and three two-horse teams loaded with laughing humanity, started on the road for Joe’s Point, with blowing of horns hurrahing, singing and waving of bannerettes, etc. After half a day spent pleasantly the Point, they returned to won and were photographed.
Friday night was to bring to the hotel some R. R. officials and other friends by special train, and in order to give them a suitable reception, two gentlemen a the hotel were dressed up fantastically to imitate hackmen. Upon the arrival of the train at the depot, the hackmen with a dinner bell, and all manner of shouting in true Jehu style, gave the new comers a hideous reception, while others on the hotel plaza added to the general uproar by firing guns, blowing horns and beating drums, etc., which must have impressed the new arrivals with the feeling they were approaching a palace of demons or infernal spirits.
Saturday night a collection of trees, refuse wood and branches gathered in clearing out Indian Point, having been arranged in huge piles along the shore, were saturated with kerosene and set on fire lighting up the bay for mils. the following bill of fare was served at the hotel, and as one would supposed from reading, provoked considerable mirth. the local hits on a number of our local citizens are particularly good, as well as those on the visitors at the hotel, and matters that are discussed on the street.
Bill of Fare
R. Gile’s Hotel,
St. A. (y) Harbor, La Grande Saratoge
N. B. (take notice)
(Note:--the village lamps would be lighted every evening but for the expense)
Rain of Augustus XVIII. I ate three times.
Hugh Bert, Captain
ME AND U
Potage
Corned Cobb Soup,
Cram Chowder
Whalebone Stew-Osburn’s too!
HORS D’OEUVRES.
Pickled Chicken’s Ears.
Bell’s Poultry Dressing,
Capers, sloven style, Balm a Gilead Buds, raw.
POISSON
Fishing Efforts, Gardiner’s’ catch
B and M Flounders,
Seals Liver, Indian style
Queen Street Polly-wogs, Glenn sauce
Little folk’s Pouts, spanking gravy
Friend Eel’s feet, Sheldon dressing,
Codfish bones, Yankee style
ROTI
Booth-bay Mutton without Capers
New Brunswick Polly-Ticks, brain gravy
Custom House Duck, Gove Style
Coyled Sausage in Portland Fat
ENTREES
Indian Point Park Ornaments, devilled with cow tracks
Scalloped Kidneys, a la Fay
Law Point, Stevenson, Grimmer and Cockburn brand
Single Cunner, Old Colony dressing
LEGUMES
St. Andrews Cricket Club beets
St. Stephen catch-up if you can, Let us,
Local Government salary,
ENTREMENTS
Claflin Tarts, Mugwumph style, Straight Pudding, Forster sauce,
Miss take Pie, Rare-bits, Pitch pine sauce
NOIX ET FRUITS
“Chestnuts,” Tipperary Grapes,
Lord and Mayor’s Bangor peaches
CAFÉ
Church Sociable Liquids, Cat-nip Tea, Magee’s Pilot Bread,
Steeped Wormwood, H. Oars Risford Cheese
VINS
S. Leonard’s—Royal Vintage
P. S.—Food will be charged extra
Guests furnished free with sham Cook-water from Herbert’s Hogs-heads.
All side dishes furnished by Stickney
*Guests wanting to find fault, will please consult the Lightening Doctor in the office chair.
“Parsons’ on grace before meat” can be found in the town library.
R. A. Supply Co., would be printers.
Pilot
Sept 20/1888
From “A Visit to SA,” by Athos (Dr. Frisbie in Newton Graphic):
Principal exports potatoes, oats and turnips. $80,000 per year to farmers. “The view [from Fort Tipperary] from this ridge is simply magnificent for so slight an elevation; bordered by water on three sides, to the east and south dotted with islands as far as the eye can reach . . .”
“One other inducement I have not referred to—it is said to be a locality which is a sure cure for that pernicious and semi-fashionable disease, ‘hay fever.’”
Summer season in Bar Harbour over. Maine Central says its trains more patronized than usual.
Wall of Land Co. Bldg almost completed. Work on Park at standstill last two weeks from bad weather. J. S. Magee has left Ireland for home.
“We understand there will be a meeting held in Boston this week of a number of hotel capitalists interested in a project to build a large hotel at St. Andrews the coming winter to accommodate the large rush anticipated for the summer of 1889.”
Megantic to be run as first class hotel.
St. Croix Courier
April 4/1889
[April 26/1889--Eugene Fay to B. R. Stevenson MS3-Z-237: “I have your favor, re-enclosing to me assignment of lease of Fort Tipperary, from Sir Leonard to the St. Andrews Land Co. Herewith please find enclosed, deed of Mr. R. S. Gardiner, to the St. Andrews Land Co., of Block L, Bulkley’s Division, with corrections made as you suggested, and, if now satisfactory to you, will you kindly have it put on record.”]
Beacon
July 18/1889
Beautiful St. Andrews
A Boston Journalist’s Description of us and our New Hotel
. . . Though we have driven the Indian from our soil, yet he still remains to remind us of his once free sway by the names which have remained behind him on the bosoms of our lakes and rivers, and hills, and of our free will we are constantly adding a reminder on our own account of naming a house or a club by some such name as has been given to this. The Algonquin has a view which can hardly be surpassed on the coast. Below is the town—so far distant that it but adds to the view, and its picturesqueness alone is visible. From every point of the compass one sees the water and beyond on three sides the view is guarded by the eternal Hills. Five hundred yards away is Fort Tipperary—now deserted and almost dismantle, though useless guns still mount guard on its grass-grown battlements, behind whose earth works no longer ago than 1866, during the Fenian troubles, the British regulars marched and countermarched to the sound of the drum and the fife, whose martial strains bade the residents of the odd little town, “have no fear.” Previous to that the only memorable time when the fort has been manned was during he “Trent Affair.”
Beacon
Oct 10/1889
The present occupant of the dwelling at Fort Tipperary will move out shortly, the Land Company, who have a lease of the property from the government, having in view some additions and alterations to the building. These will not be made before the Spring.
Beacon
July 16/1891
Octave Thanet writes of her Vacation Trip to Old St. Andrews by the sea.
SA by the Sea, July 1/1891
. . . Of course in such a town there are divers objects of interest. Every stranger is expected to visit the Indian camp and the Blockhouse, Fort Tipperary and the Scotch Kirk. The Kirk is a white building with a bell tower and the picture of a green, green oak displayed on the façade. Here the Scotch Presbyterians, of whom there is a goodly number in SA, worship and receive the Word from an unconscionably high pulpit.
Beacon
Oct 26/1893
A Westerner’s View. A Minnesota Journalist talks about St. Andrews and Thereabouts
St. Paul Despatch
One of the quaintest old relics in the Canadian provinces are the ruins of battered old Fort Tipperary, asleep in wreck and the bite of ages beyond the town of SA, NB. SA, you will know, is a famous old English town, where the 1700 worthy people still sing the High church service in manner and form of the time-honored days of the Georges. But to Americans, St. Andrews is fast becoming much more of a picturesque tomb of past great shipping life. It is and always will be the noted scene of the ill-fated Fenian raid in 1867, when the secluded rebels steamed proudly off Eastport, Maine, to raid Indian Island. To repulse this made attack the English attracted a man-of-war from Halifax and taking a wet towel imperiously wiped the Fenians from the face of the sea.
But all is now serene and blissful in and about the pudgy little town, with its fishing smacks lying gracefully in the harbor, with its low, white houses and high gray churches; its pretty garden and prolific orchards. its modern aspect is heightened by the stateliest of resort hostelries, the Algonquin—a home for summer tourists. Seated high upon an eminence of 200 feet above high tide, this commodious resort, is indeed a pleasure gratifying every sense, delight, sense and comforting indulgence.
Pilot
Aug 23/1888
America to the Front
Some of our American summer visitors have been indulging among themselves in their good natured fun, and shown us some of the means they take at home and abroad to work off that surplus nervous energy which has made the American character what it is: an enterprising and successful race of people, as well as a people luxurious their tastes and habits. They must do something, and if it is not business then they go for fun.
The low dead axletree wagon or dray, called with us a solvent or truck cart, being an object of interest and having caused considerable comment and wonderment among the guests at he Argyll hotel, it was suggested one day last week by some of the leading spirits that they take a drive in this wonderful production of luxury, in imitation of the buck board so much in vogue at other summer resorts. the ladies, not to be outdone in fun, thought if they were to ride in this luxurious vehicle they ought to dress in keeping with the name solvent, so to the surprise of the gentlemen, some thirty or more ladies and children attired themselves in all kinds of fantastic and amusing costumes, and when the team drew up to the steps of the hotel, marched down—not in beauty arrayed—but certainly as their friends never anticipated seeing them, in other words, the ladies outwitted the gentlemen (as they always do) and three two-horse teams loaded with laughing humanity, started on the road for Joe’s Point, with blowing of horns hurrahing, singing and waving of bannerettes, etc. After half a day spent pleasantly the Point, they returned to won and were photographed.
Friday night was to bring to the hotel some R. R. officials and other friends by special train, and in order to give them a suitable reception, two gentlemen a the hotel were dressed up fantastically to imitate hackmen. Upon the arrival of the train at the depot, the hackmen with a dinner bell, and all manner of shouting in true Jehu style, gave the new comers a hideous reception, while others on the hotel plaza added to the general uproar by firing guns, blowing horns and beating drums, etc., which must have impressed the new arrivals with the feeling they were approaching a palace of demons or infernal spirits.
Saturday night a collection of trees, refuse wood and branches gathered in clearing out Indian Point, having been arranged in huge piles along the shore, were saturated with kerosene and set on fire lighting up the bay for mils. the following bill of fare was served at the hotel, and as one would supposed from reading, provoked considerable mirth. the local hits on a number of our local citizens are particularly good, as well as those on the visitors at the hotel, and matters that are discussed on the street.
Bill of Fare
R. Gile’s Hotel,
St. A. (y) Harbor, La Grande Saratoge
N. B. (take notice)
(Note:--the village lamps would be lighted every evening but for the expense)
Rain of Augustus XVIII. I ate three times.
Hugh Bert, Captain
ME AND U
Potage
Corned Cobb Soup,
Cram Chowder
Whalebone Stew-Osburn’s too!
HORS D’OEUVRES.
Pickled Chicken’s Ears.
Bell’s Poultry Dressing,
Capers, sloven style, Balm a Gilead Buds, raw.
POISSON
Fishing Efforts, Gardiner’s’ catch
B and M Flounders,
Seals Liver, Indian style
Queen Street Polly-wogs, Glenn sauce
Little folk’s Pouts, spanking gravy
Friend Eel’s feet, Sheldon dressing,
Codfish bones, Yankee style
ROTI
Booth-bay Mutton without Capers
New Brunswick Polly-Ticks, brain gravy
Custom House Duck, Gove Style
Coyled Sausage in Portland Fat
ENTREES
Indian Point Park Ornaments, devilled with cow tracks
Scalloped Kidneys, a la Fay
Law Point, Stevenson, Grimmer and Cockburn brand
Single Cunner, Old Colony dressing
LEGUMES
St. Andrews Cricket Club beets
St. Stephen catch-up if you can, Let us,
Local Government salary,
ENTREMENTS
Claflin Tarts, Mugwumph style, Straight Pudding, Forster sauce,
Miss take Pie, Rare-bits, Pitch pine sauce
NOIX ET FRUITS
“Chestnuts,” Tipperary Grapes,
Lord and Mayor’s Bangor peaches
CAFÉ
Church Sociable Liquids, Cat-nip Tea, Magee’s Pilot Bread,
Steeped Wormwood, H. Oars Risford Cheese
VINS
S. Leonard’s—Royal Vintage
P. S.—Food will be charged extra
Guests furnished free with sham Cook-water from Herbert’s Hogs-heads.
All side dishes furnished by Stickney
*Guests wanting to find fault, will please consult the Lightening Doctor in the office chair.
“Parsons’ on grace before meat” can be found in the town library.
R. A. Supply Co., would be printers.
Pilot
Sept 20/1888
From “A Visit to SA,” by Athos (Dr. Frisbie in Newton Graphic):
Principal exports potatoes, oats and turnips. $80,000 per year to farmers. “The view [from Fort Tipperary] from this ridge is simply magnificent for so slight an elevation; bordered by water on three sides, to the east and south dotted with islands as far as the eye can reach . . .”
“One other inducement I have not referred to—it is said to be a locality which is a sure cure for that pernicious and semi-fashionable disease, ‘hay fever.’”
Summer season in Bar Harbour over. Maine Central says its trains more patronized than usual.
Wall of Land Co. Bldg almost completed. Work on Park at standstill last two weeks from bad weather. J. S. Magee has left Ireland for home.
“We understand there will be a meeting held in Boston this week of a number of hotel capitalists interested in a project to build a large hotel at St. Andrews the coming winter to accommodate the large rush anticipated for the summer of 1889.”
Megantic to be run as first class hotel.
St. Croix Courier
April 4/1889
[April 26/1889--Eugene Fay to B. R. Stevenson MS3-Z-237: “I have your favor, re-enclosing to me assignment of lease of Fort Tipperary, from Sir Leonard to the St. Andrews Land Co. Herewith please find enclosed, deed of Mr. R. S. Gardiner, to the St. Andrews Land Co., of Block L, Bulkley’s Division, with corrections made as you suggested, and, if now satisfactory to you, will you kindly have it put on record.”]
Beacon
July 18/1889
Beautiful St. Andrews
A Boston Journalist’s Description of us and our New Hotel
. . . Though we have driven the Indian from our soil, yet he still remains to remind us of his once free sway by the names which have remained behind him on the bosoms of our lakes and rivers, and hills, and of our free will we are constantly adding a reminder on our own account of naming a house or a club by some such name as has been given to this. The Algonquin has a view which can hardly be surpassed on the coast. Below is the town—so far distant that it but adds to the view, and its picturesqueness alone is visible. From every point of the compass one sees the water and beyond on three sides the view is guarded by the eternal Hills. Five hundred yards away is Fort Tipperary—now deserted and almost dismantle, though useless guns still mount guard on its grass-grown battlements, behind whose earth works no longer ago than 1866, during the Fenian troubles, the British regulars marched and countermarched to the sound of the drum and the fife, whose martial strains bade the residents of the odd little town, “have no fear.” Previous to that the only memorable time when the fort has been manned was during he “Trent Affair.”
Beacon
Oct 10/1889
The present occupant of the dwelling at Fort Tipperary will move out shortly, the Land Company, who have a lease of the property from the government, having in view some additions and alterations to the building. These will not be made before the Spring.
Beacon
July 16/1891
Octave Thanet writes of her Vacation Trip to Old St. Andrews by the sea.
SA by the Sea, July 1/1891
. . . Of course in such a town there are divers objects of interest. Every stranger is expected to visit the Indian camp and the Blockhouse, Fort Tipperary and the Scotch Kirk. The Kirk is a white building with a bell tower and the picture of a green, green oak displayed on the façade. Here the Scotch Presbyterians, of whom there is a goodly number in SA, worship and receive the Word from an unconscionably high pulpit.
Beacon
Oct 26/1893
A Westerner’s View. A Minnesota Journalist talks about St. Andrews and Thereabouts
St. Paul Despatch
One of the quaintest old relics in the Canadian provinces are the ruins of battered old Fort Tipperary, asleep in wreck and the bite of ages beyond the town of SA, NB. SA, you will know, is a famous old English town, where the 1700 worthy people still sing the High church service in manner and form of the time-honored days of the Georges. But to Americans, St. Andrews is fast becoming much more of a picturesque tomb of past great shipping life. It is and always will be the noted scene of the ill-fated Fenian raid in 1867, when the secluded rebels steamed proudly off Eastport, Maine, to raid Indian Island. To repulse this made attack the English attracted a man-of-war from Halifax and taking a wet towel imperiously wiped the Fenians from the face of the sea.
But all is now serene and blissful in and about the pudgy little town, with its fishing smacks lying gracefully in the harbor, with its low, white houses and high gray churches; its pretty garden and prolific orchards. its modern aspect is heightened by the stateliest of resort hostelries, the Algonquin—a home for summer tourists. Seated high upon an eminence of 200 feet above high tide, this commodious resort, is indeed a pleasure gratifying every sense, delight, sense and comforting indulgence.
Beacon
Feb 20/1890
Ice for Algonquin now being harvested. Mr. Petrie has the contract for cutting it. About one hundred and fifty tone will be housed. Between fifty and sixty tons will be stored under the kitchen under the kitchen extension of the hotel. The rest will be stored at the barracks. Mr. Horton is arranging for the construction of another refrigerator in the lower floor of the hotel.
Beacon
June 7/1900
The CPR has furnished evidence of its interest in St. Andrews by sending two of its officials here to write up and illustrate the place. Last week, the town was honored with a visit from Mr. George Ham, of the advertising dept. of the CPR, and Mr. E. Clarke, its chief photographer. While Mr. Ham secured an abundance of material for a write-up, Mr. Clarke photographed many points with which to illustrate the pamphlet the company is proposing issuing. Among the points photographed were Fort Tipperary, the Algonquin Hotel, a bit of the Bar road, a view from the end of the Bar road looking across towards Chamcook basin, Minister’s Island, Covenhoven, the golf links, the town from Joe’s Point, the Blockhouse and fort, the court house, churches, etc. About 25,000 pamphlets will be sent out within the next fortnight. These ought to attract many visitors to the place. [This is the panoramic brochure. cf. July 5/1900]
Beacon
Feb 27/1902
Sir Thomas Shaughnessy’s Summer Residence
Mr. John P. O’Leary, contractor, of Montreal, was in St. Andrews last week with plans of Sir Thomas Shaughnessy’s new summer residence, which is to be erected on Fort Tipperary, on the site now occupied by the old guard house.
The plans disclose a very handsome two story structure of colonial renaissance order. It will be of wood with solid stone foundations. A verandah twelve feet wide will run around the entire building with the exception of the north-east corner, where the kitchen is located.
The building, with verandah, will cover an area of 80 x 74 feet. On the ground floor, the front door, facing on Princes of Wales street, will open into an entrance hall 17 x 29 feet, 6 inches. To the left will be reception room 17 x 18 feet 6 inches. In the rear of the entrance hall will be the library, 12 d 19 feet. Facing Minister’s Island the dining room (22 x 16 feet) will be placed. A bedroom (16 x 16 feet) with a bathroom attached will be located on the south-east corner. On the north-east corner the kitchen and pantry are located. there will be an open space on the ground between the kitchen and main house, so that the savory odors from the former may not enter the dwelling apartments. there will also be a water closet on this floor, under the servants’ stairway.
The second float will contain seven bedrooms, and two bath room sin the main house, besides four servants’ sleeping rooms over the kitchen and servants’ bathroom. Though work will be begun this spring, it is not intended to have the building ready for occupation until 1903.
Mr. O’Leary, who has the work in hand, is a man of large experience, and a very agreeable gentleman withal. he superintended the construction of the Hotel Frontenac, Quebec, the Viger Place station, Montreal, the Star Building, Montreal and other imposing structures.
Beacon
Sept 18/1902
Old Tipperary and New Tipperary
Old Fort Tipperary, around which so many fond and stirring memories cluster, is gone and a new and more imposing Tipperary has sprung up in its stead. the new Tipperary is to be the summer home of Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Four months ago the ground within the old ramparts was broken for the new building. Now it is completed in every detail. By degrees, as the new work expanded, it became necessary to remove the old buildings which stood upon the site. first, the barrack building proper, with its immense pine timbers, port-holed for resisting invaders, was razed. then the officers’ quarters were swept out of existence; afterwards the guard-house and sergeant-cottage. The last of the old buildings—which has been used as an ice-house by the Algonquin hotel—was torn down on Saturday.
In the architectural design of the new building medievalism and modernism have booth been drawn upon, but the first consideration has been comfort. As one visitor expressed it, “it is a common sense house.” Its broad, covered verandahs, encircling almost the entire building, suggest comfort at first glance. this suggestion becomes a fixed reality when the interior arrangements are examined.
the visitor enters upon the verandah from beneath an ample porte-cochere on the western side. three or four steps, 17 feet in length, lead to the verandah. Entering the oaken doorway, one finds himself in a large living room, the entire size of the front of the house, its width being 18 feet. At the upper end of this room is a large stone fireplace, with high-backed seats built into the wall on either side. This is the ingle-nook and a comfortable nook it ought to prove. Next the living room on the lower side of the central hallway is the library, with circular seats at the windows. On the south-east corner is the guest chamber, a comfortable room, with a doorway opening on to the verandah. Attached to this room is a well arranged bathroom, with mirrored door. A large clothes press is also in connection. In the rear of the house, with doors opening on to the verandah, it’s the dining room, a magnificent apartment, with side board at one end. the verandah at this point is semi-circular in form, extending out 20 feet, so that it may be used for dining purposes or evening parties during warm weather. Being in the rear, the fullest privacy is ensured. Alongside the diningroom, with an air space between, is the kitchen, fitted up with a large prowse range, and supplied with shelves and cupboard, and other necessaries. the pantry adjoins this. It is also furnished with shelves and closets. On this floor, beneath the stairway, there is a cloakroom and nearby is a conveniently arranged lavatory. The floors on the first flat are all polished hardwood. The walls are plaster, in white, and the sideboards and closets are also painted in white.
an easy stairway, with birchen balustrade leads to the second floor, which contains the sleeping apartments. there are seven bedrooms, all with beautiful outlooks, for the family, and four comfortable sleeping rooms for the servants. there are three bathrooms on this floor, one of which will be used by the servants. the mirrored doors of these rooms are a distinctive feature of the house appointments. the basement contains laundry appliances, refrigerator store-house, fuel room and water closet. it can be entered from the first floor or from the outside.
The servants’ entrance is on the northern side of the house. there is also a soft water tank on the same side. the outer walls of the building, also the pillars of the verandah, are shingled in rough shingles. At the upper end of the verandah the shingles used are the old ones taken from the fort buildings. they are supposed to be 80 or more years old, yet they are in a splendid state of preservation. they are 22 inches long. One peculiarity about them is that where the chalk line struck them a ridge had been produced, showing that whatever was used for marking (some suggest that burnt alder was employed) it had served as a complete preservative against the weather. the exterior of the house I painted in green on the first floor and a dark shade of yellow above.
the house will be lighted by acetylene gas, the generator occupying a small building apart from the main house. the grounds have been so arranged as to preserve the formation of the old ramparts. In the front of the house with nozzle pointed towards Uncle Sam’s territory, one of the old fort guns has been placed. A tennis court is being laid out on the southern side.
The architects of Tipperary were Messrs. Hutchinson and Wood, of Montreal. Mr. John P. O’Leary was the contractor. that he has done his work well is generally conceded. Mr. Harry J. Pratt, of Saint John, was foreman for Mr. O’Leary. The plumbing was the work of Mr. W. H. Donovan, SS, and it is very creditable to him. In the construction of the building and in the carrying out of the landscape effects, Mr. O’Leary has employed local men as far as possible. he has also had a number of men from Saint John and Montreal.
Beacon
Aug 28/1902
Reminiscences of Bye-Gone Days
For the Beacon
In one of your late issues you requested information from the old inhabitants of St. Andrews, relative to the English soldiers who occupied the old Barracks, lately purchased by Sir Thomas Shaughnessy. As a native of St. Andrews, where I lived till the summer of 1854, I will simply say I have no recollection of the time when there were not solders in St. Andrews. In my schoolboy days I went to school with the sons of soldiers, at the old school house at the entrance to the old Episcopal Church, near the residence of the late Thomas Algar. I was born in 1826. In 1839 I left school and went to learn my trade with James Kennedy, who at that time lived in the old Gilchrist house, next to the house occupied by the late Russell Bradford. On the wharf below was John Treadwell’s block and spar yard. At that time, the officer in command was Lord Hill. He was a very handsome little man, a great horseman and had two English thoroughbred horses—the most beautiful creatures I ever saw. If I mistake not, his father was second in command at Waterloo. He used to gallop up the street to Mr. Kennedy’s, get off his horse and hitch him the latch of the door, sit up on Mr Kennedy’s cutting board, and chat by the hour about their old home in Ireland. They were both from the same town, in the County of Antrim, Ireland. There were never in my recollection more than 25 or 30 solders at the barracks, commanded by a lieutenant, the regiment being at St. John or Fredericton. Lord Hill was removed to St. John. As I remember he volunteered to ride a tailor’s horse in a race and won the race. He was afterward killed while riding a vicious horse in steeple chase in the old country. The horse threw him and broke his neck. He was the second man that horse killed. They shot the horse. I distinctly remember many of the officers,--a Mr. Cole, who kept a horse. When he left, his equipment was sold at auction. Dr. McStay bought his sleigh. It was after the fashion of a Russian sleigh—very low. I remember the Doctor’s daughters when in it seemed a reclining position. A Lieut. Wedderburn, another officer with money, was a great ladies’ man; also Mr. Lacy or DeLacy. He always dressed in is scarlet regimental clothes when going to church on a Sunday,--the only officer I ever saw do so. He was a tall beautiful figure of a man. In fact, all the officers were the same.
The soldiers all had to go to their respective places of worship on a Sunday. The officers seldom went with them. They would all leave the barracks in Company form, come down the hill together as far as the George D. Street House. Those who were Roman Catholics would drop out here and go to their place of worship, the same at the Kirk. The Episcopalians would continue on to the Episcopal church. I don’t remember ever seeing one at the Methodist church. The majority were Roman Catholics.
I don’t remember the names of the many officers till that of Lieut. Wells, of Her Majesty’s, (it was then) 1st Royals. He came very prominently before the inhabitants of St. Andrews by his assaulting Mr. A. T. Paul (your late Sheriff) in A MacFarlane’s pasture. I did considerable work for him. He was a very nice gentleman, and distinguished himself in the Crimean War. [this is the man who did the undated lithograph of St. Andrews! As Mr. J. M., the contributor, lived in St. Andrews until 1854, the lithograph predates this year]
The officer who relieved him was Lieut. Herrong, or some such a name. he was a great boating man. I used to loan him my boat, and borrow his. We got along very nicely together. He was also a very nice gentleman. He is the last I remember, as I left in 1854.
There were always two artillerymen at the Western Block House. It was there the guns and accoutrements used by the Militia on training days were kept, and I presume they were there to care for them. They were mostly Scotchmen and went to the Kirk.
So far as my life in St. Andrews was concerned, there were always soldiers at the old Barracks on the hill. I could prove it, were it necessary, from many reminiscences. I was told that when the Confederation of the provinces took place the English Government said, if you want solders you will have to pay for them, but as we declined to pay for them, and they wee of no used to us, the were taken away.
I realize that when a man emigrates from the place of his birth he always in a retrospective view, sees it and every body and thing about as he had been accustomed to see it. It is always the same dear old home to him, regardless of its humbleness. Nature seems to place in the heart of man a love for the humble, old home that no amount of prosperity or riches in another sphere can obliterate, hence so many remember in their last will and testament a fond recollection of their old home. A I read the columns of the home paper it makes me sad to see how few names in it I recognize, I too forget how time passes, forget it is 48 years since I left and that great changes in the population have taken place, to see there is not he name of Wilson, Hatch, or Street in the town,--and so many that moved in the same circle—Col. David and Mrs. Mowatt, David W. And Mrs. Jack. Col. And Mrs. Wyer, Thomas Wyer, Mrs. Wiggin, the Hon. B. R. Stevenson, and his brother, Fletcher, all have passed to their reward. They were a goodly lot of ladies and gentlemen, who would add grace and dignity to any condition of life, and a community should be much the better for their having been of it.
--J. M., Boston, 1902
Beacon
July 25/1907
Picture with History
SA Fifty Years Ago Sought by Tourist
There is a picture in the writing room of Kennedy’s hotel that has an interesting history. It is a lithograph of SA, made by Frederick Wells, an officer of the 1st Royals, which regiment was stationed here about fifty years ago. Presumably that is about the age of the picture. At present it is the property of Mrs. R. M Hazen, of Saint John. Some years ago, the late Miss Hazen, of Saint John, was visiting a member of her family at Tonbridge, Kent, England. One day, in passing a bookseller’s shop she noticed this lithograph in the window and she at once secured it. After Miss Hazen’s death it fell into the hands of Mrs. Hazen, who prizes it very highly
The picture bears below it the following inscription, which indicates that even at that remove period St. Andrews had a reputation as a tourist resort, besides being an aspirant for winter port honors:
VIEW OF THE TOWN OF ST. ANDREWS, NB, WITH IS MAGNIFICENT HARBOR AND BAY. From the extreme beauty of its scenery and the salubrity of its climate, the town is much resorted to by tourist from all parts. It is situated at the entrance of the Bay of Fundy, at the southern and warmest extremity of NB; and lying in close proximity to the US at their nearest point to Great Britain it commands the whole of their extensive system of railways and is probably destined at no distant period to occupy an important position in the history of British north American, particularly as on the completion of the St. Andrews and Quebec Railway (the great trunk line to the Canadas and which is now in active progress under the Earl Fitzwilliam, Lord Ashburton, and other gentlemen) it will become the winter port to those vast provinces and that line being the shortest which can be constructed to reach them on British territory it will naturally be much resorted to as a port of disembarkation for emigrants, who will doubtless long cherish it in grateful remembrance as the spot where after the perils of their voyage they first touched the hospitable shores of their adopted home. [circa 1857 then]
This lithograph hangs upstairs in the Charlotte County Archives.
Beacon
Aug 6/1908
Who’s Who
What Some of our Summer Residents Do at Home
. . . Mr. John P. Hudson, who is at the Algonquin with members of his family, is the clerk of the Supreme court of the State of New York. He is a native of SA, having been born in the little cottage fronting upon Fort Tipperary. At the period of his birth, Mr. Hudson’s father was the officer in charge of the barracks.
Beacon
Sept 9/1909
SA Views Thro’ Tourist Spectacles
Joseph Smith--not Elder Joseph Smith, of Mormondom, with a plurality of wives, but Joseph Smith of Newspaperdom, with a plurality of ideas in his well-ordered cranium--has been visiting St. Andrews and has written of his experiences in the Boston Traveller. Under the heading “A Voyage of Discovery--Last Leg,” Mr. Smith thus soliloquizes with respect to SA:--
We have a friend who holds that no summer resort is worth a thought where a man cannot sit out on the verandah in his shirt sleeves, put his feet on the railing and yell baseball scores at his neighbour in the next house. You cannot indulge in anything quite as democratic as this at SA, but you can play golf to your heart’s content; you can gad all over Passamaquoddy bay in a motor boat very close to nature, or you can fish off the wharf with a native, swap yarns about the war of 1812, or listen to the legends of the golden age of SA, when the patron Saint of the Democracy, T. Jefferson, laid his embargo and these waters were filled with smugglers.
Along back in those early days, when the people on either side of line made faces at each other, when the British Lion was called a yellow dog and the American Eagle a clucking hen, this town of St. Andrews was some pumpkins; it had a garrison of red coats and Fort Tipperary on the crest of the ridge; and, with its Old Dominion Loyalists, was as cocky and blood-thirsty as could be. Since those days the shouting has ceased, the ships have sailed away, the captains are on crutches or in the cemeteries. St. Andrews has become humanized and slumberous, and in the very middle of Fort Tipperary, surrounded by sodden ramparts, stands the summer home of the president of the C. P. R., and the old 32-pounder pointing across the St. Croix River is only a receptacle for the flotsam and jetsam children push down its black and harmless throat.
So passeth the glory of the World;
Beacon
July 21/1910
The Beauties of Fair SA
As Told in the C. P. R. Company’s Summer Guide Book
NB, one of the Maritime Provinces of Canada, possesses a wonderful charm and attractiveness during what is called the heated term elsewhere. There are many pleasant resorts along the Atlantic coast of North American, but nowhere exists a more delightful spot than SA-by-the-Sea, where the conditions in beauty of environment, salubrity of climate and healthfulness of locality reach perfection. With pure salt sea air, the life-giving breath of the pine, a wondrous scenic splendor and many facilities for the comfortable housing of visitors--it is an incomparable resting-place and retreat, and so pleasant that many make it their summer home.
SA-by-the-Sea is located on the south-western part of NB, where the St. Croix River dividing British territory from the State of Maine, pours its flood into Passamaquoddy Bay, a long stretch of water completely sheltered from the ocean’s storms and fogs by a great barrier or large and small islands. On a peninsula reaching far into the bay stands the town which has attained supremacy in the East as a rare summering place. The site of SA-by-the-Sea bears the same relation to the bay and river that Newport News does to the waters of Hampton Roads and the James.
The glamour of historic association envelops the entire region. Over three centuries ago--in the summer of 1604--the adventurous Sieur des Monts, piloted by Samuel Champlain, whose name and fame as an explorer are so intimately connected with the discoveries of the northern half of the continent, came from France with a patent royal of all the territory in America between the 40th and 46th degrees of north latitude. This first expedition to these waters crossed the Bay of Fundy and ascended the Schoodic (Now St. Croix) river to a small island three miles above the present site of SA, which was fortified against the forays of the Indians who then occupied the land. This is the Dochet’s Island of to-day, but during the long-disputed boundary question between the United States and the dependencies of Great Britain in North America, it was called Neutral Island from the fact that it was mutually admitted to be neutral ground and enjoyed all the rights and privileges of No Man’s Land. On the establishment of the independence of the United States, a number of United Empire Loyalists came across the border and settled at SA, and there are houses now standing in the town whose frame were brought from Castine, Maine, and set up anew here, while in the Episcopal Church is displayed the royal coat-of-arms brought by the stanch Loyalists from Wallingford, Connecticut, in their flight. Later, St. Andrews was a garrisoned town, and the site of old Fort Tipperary, and the Block House, with their grass-grown redoubts and earthworks, are quaint reminders of the ancient means of defence of this border town; but they now only serve to recall the fact that this peaceful retreat has been the theatre of stirring events during the past three hundred years.
Another connecting link with the early part of the last century is Greenock Church, with its quaint, high-towering pulpit and old-fashioned box pews. The edifice, which has an interesting history, was completed in 1824.
SA-by-the-Sea, apart from its many attractive scenic and other features, can be said to be noted for its health-giving climate. The mean daily temperature is 68 degrees during the entire heated term, and the charts show that the belt denoting the driest atmosphere passes through Passamaquoddy Bay. Fog at St. Andrews is practically unknown, and fever, epidemic and malarial disorders, are absolute strangers. The peculiar formation of the soil allows no surface water to remain, the underlying sandstone providing a natural filter through which the water passes, taking with it all deposits on the surface, and the tides, twice a day, rising and falling twenty to thirty feet, carry all waste far from shore. Flies and mosquitoes and other insect pests are unknown at St. Andrews. [Note nothing on hay fever]
The town itself is quite and peaceful, and many of its quaint, old-fashioned streets and by-ways are embowered in trees, making fragrant shady resting places for those whose only glimpse of nature during the greater part of the year is caught in the cities’ small artificial parks. Surrounded on three sides by the sea, one sees in all directions an encircling line of coast, while higher up toward the Chamcook Mountains the eye is charmed by the view seaward. Roses and hawthorn hedges and every other variety of bright-hued flowers meet the eye and charm the sense in all directions. Wild fruits--strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries--grow in the greatest profusion, and in the gardens are the finest flavored cultivated fruits.
It is not alone as a health resort and resting place, however, that SA-by-the-Sea is attractive. The water trips among or in the neighborhood of the islands of the Coast; the boating and sailing and fishing in their waters; the adaptability of the beaches for warm sea bathing in Katy Cove [sic]; the countless diversions of riding, driving, motoring, wheeling, walking and exploring on the shores; the camping parties and improvised “settlements” and outing for dulse; the opportunities for golf, tennis and other pastimes--these all combine to make this a perfect paradise of summer delights.
Out from SA-by-the-Sea in all directions, are perfectly constructed roads, forest-lined and shaded, reaching sheltered sports by ocean and inland lake. The roads are excellent, and there is no mud or dust to annoy the pleasure of the drive. The favorite drives are to Chamcook Mountains and lakes, and to the Glebe and Bocabec (seven miles) at the head of Passamaquoddy Bay; the shore road bordering the river; the Bar road to Mowatt’s Grove, and at low water across the bar to Minister’s Island, the drive to which presents the novelty once experienced by the Children of Israel--that of going through a passage in the sea which had fallen back on either side. This drive takes one through the bed of the ocean twenty feet below sea level at high water. There is the drive through the Cedars past the golf links to Joe’s Point, beyond which is Smuggler’s Cove, a noted hiding place of those having utter disregard for customs, laws and coast guards in past and gone days. Another drive is around Indian Point, at the extreme end of the peninsula, where, from the boulevard at the water’s edge, a sea-view embracing the entire bay is commanded. Delightful excursions can be made either by land or water to SS, NB, and Calais, Maine, up the St. Croix; to St. George (where there are extensive granite works and quarries) crossing (if the excursion be made by land) the Bocabec and Digdeguash rivers--two famous trout streams--where are the Magaguadavic (pronounced Mag-a-davey) Falls, a cascade of remarkable beauty, and to many other interesting points in the locality. Horses and carriages are obtainable at moderate rates, there being several liveries in the village.
To visit the summit of Chamcook, the horses are left at the base and the ascent accomplished on foot, with a taste of Alpine excitement, although the climb is a perfectly safe one. Owing to the fact that the tidewater washed its base, the views from its heights are far grander than those obtained from greater heights inland.
The excellent roads rob motoring of all its discomforts, and there are many long stretches in which automobiles may be speeded with out danger. [Cf. Complaints by the locals about speeding tourists]
Splendid opportunities are provided for those who are fond of fishing and shooting.
For sea-fishing, excellent craft--from the sloop-rigged “pinkie” to the schooner--with experienced skippers, can be procured in the harbor. Cod, haddock and pollock can be caught in large quantities, and to those who have ever indulged in the sport of deep-sea fishing, nothing need be said concerning the excitement and pleasure of it. The expense of such a fishing trip, including the skipper with his boat, lines, bait and provisions, will be from $3.00 to $5.00 per day, which amount is usually divided among four. [The pitch here seems to be to the middle-class] In the inland lakes and rivers in the vicinity of SA-by-the-Sea the fishing is excellent. There are about twenty lakes within a radius of fifteen miles. The fisherman can go to nearly all the best lakes and streams in the morning, returning in the evening. In the lakes, during June, land-locked salmon and lake trout may be readily taken with the fly. In July, August and September, in deep water, the same fish may be taken with line bait, or by trolling. In the smaller lakes, higher up, quantities of trout, weighing from a quarter of a pound to a pound, may be taken with fly, worm or live bait. All the streams abound in the smaller but equally delicious species of trout.
Great enjoyment may be obtained in fishing for tommy cod and smelts off the wharves and the operation of seining the weirs after sardine herring have been impounded and spudging for them, is very interesting to strangers. The weirs are spread around the shores of the bay and fishing can be viewed from the shore, but the best way is to go out in a boat around the weir while the fishermen are catching the fish. The weirs are built so that at the rise and fall of the tide the fish flow into them; then the man on the watches closes the mouth of the weir, the fish are then held in the weir until the arrival of the buyers from the sardine factories. The fishermen then go into the weir and take the fish out with seines. There is considerable excitement at times in weir fishing. The fish are sometimes chased by the huge horse mackerel, silver hake, squid, skulpin and dog fish.
Beacon
Nov 16/1918
St. Andrews Celebrates
The glad news of the signing of the armistice reached St. Andrews at 7:30 on Monday morning, and immediately the Town Bell began to peal, and was soon joined by the several church bells, all of them being rung at intervals throughout the day. All day the citizens were hard at work decorating their premises, the streets and public buildings in preparation for the demonstration on Tuesday, which was proclaimed a Public Holiday by the Mayor.
Programme
12 O’clock
Royal Salute at Block House
Ringing of Bells, Blowing of Whistles
St. Croix Courier
April 16, 1942
Shiretown Items
The Pageant, “A Story of St. Andrews,” which was presented by the programme committee of the Women’s Canadian Club on Thursday evening, April 9, in Andraeleo Hall, was successful in every way, and far exceeded the highest hopes of the committee. A capacity audience applauded every scene and went home feeling that they had enjoyed one of the best shows to be produced here by local talent in a long time. The sketch read preceding each scene was interesting and explanatory. The scenes were impressive and instructive, the costumes quaint and beautiful and the characters, both male and female, all portrayed by women of the club, were excellently done. The net proceeds will amount to considerably over $100. The scenes depicted with date of each are as follows: 1604, Champlain and DeMonts at Dochet Island; 1760, the Indian Wedding; 1775, The Trading Post; 1783, the Landing of the Loyalists; 1788, Robert Pagan, M. P.; 1788, A Parliamentary Ball, “the Minuet”; 1812, the Blockhouse, a British Grenadier; 1838, Coronation of Queen Victoria,, celebrated by the roasting of an ox in Market Square; 1850, the Bucket Brigade; 1867, a Valentine Ball, “The Mazurka”; 1852, Advent of the Railway; 1895, Fashion Parade of the Gay Nineties; 1942, “Land of Hope and Glory.”
St. Croix Courier
March 12, 1942
Shiretown Items
Some Local History
When a reader writes a long letter—twenty closely written pages of ordinary sized “notepaper—and begins it “Just as soon as the Courier comes I turn to the Shiretown Items”, when he states that he is old enough to clearly remember the Saxby Gale (1869), when he tells of many interesting personal experiences during his boyhood and youth spent here; and when he says that although he has covered a lot of ground since leaving St. Andrews he has never found a place that he liked as well as the old home town, it seems that his letter should have public recognition. The wrier was W. F. McStay, now living in Moncton. I have never known nor met this old friend of St. Andrews as he left here before I came in 1889, but if he ever visits here I hope he will look me up. He says he had a letter recently from William Brown, another native son probably remembered by the older folks before my time. Mr. Brown’s father was Collector of Customs here and Thomas Stinson whom we younger fellows can well remember as a customs officer began work with him. Mr. McStay was living at the corner of Princess Royal and Carleton streets at the time of the big gale. He says every shade tree in town was uprooted and flattened to the ground. He was much interested in the picture of Fort Tipperary, appearing recently in the Courier, and remembers the band that used to practise there. He says there were 400 soldiers stationed there at one time and his grandfather Dr. McStay was the army doctor. He as a vivid recollection of wonderful coasting on Kirk Hill, of wharves lined with ships, loading or unloading; of sham fights the solders used to have; of marching to the cemetery and back on a soft day in winter with a new pair of shoes which were ruined. He remembers Harold Stickney’s father, who also just have been musician as the writers claims he could swear by note. The old armoury, destroyed by fire, had a wonderful bell. It could be heard, in St. Stephen when the wind was blowing upriver. After the fire the bell was melted down and everybody in town had a ring made from it, cast by Mike McMonagle at his foundry. (I wonder if anybody in town has one of those old rings!) Mr. McStay speaks of Jim Handy, organizer of fox hunts on Minister’s Island; of the launching of the Annie P. Odell; of single scull races between Bob Brown and Harry Jones in their fifty-foot racing shells. Mr. McStay worked in the machine shop here and recalls the names of some more of the old wood-burner locomotives, the “Shamrock,” the “thistle,” the “Rose” and the “Manners Sutton.” He remembers the old river boats including the Belle Brown. When the weather was thick Eber Polleys was engaged to stand on the wharf and blow bugle-calls in answer to the steamer’s whistle so she could find her way in. . . . Mr. McStay tells of an interesting local incident connected with the so-called “Trent Affair,” of 1861 as told to him by his father who was an eyewitness. The people of St. Andrews had known nothing of this affair which nearly caused war between United States and Great Britain and were much surprised when a British troop ship steamed in to the harbour. Several hundred soldiers were put ashore and formed on at Gove’s hall near the depot headed by a military band. They marched to the head of the town, then down again with fixed bayonets, the band playing and the soldiers singing, “We’ll grease our bayonets on the Rebels ‘way down in Dixie.” Then they boarded the train with the local inhabitants none the wiser,; but after a few days they were back again, boarded their ship and sailed away never to return. The Trent affair, thanks to wise heads, had been settled amicably.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 18, 1943
Shiretown Items
Historic new Brunswick
I was much interested in reading “Historical Guide to New Brunswick” by Dr. J. C. Webster, which was sent to me by Major W. F. McStay of Moncton. It gives a couple of lines to St. Andrws in three places, mentioning thus briefly the building of the blockhouses here during the war of 1812, the start of N.B’s first railway, and the introduction of cottage craft. But in a sketch of the Loyalists of New Brunswick it makes no mention of St. andrews at all, which as far as I know is the only other town of the province outside of Saint John and Fredericton which was founded by the Loyalists. For many years St. Andrws rivalled Saint John in ship-building, in lubering nd in trade with the old country. Had the railway from here to Quebec been completed as planned, the metropolis of the province might now be at the mouth of the St. Croix river instead of the Saint John. It is a fact that just previous to the beginning of the World War in 1914 money had been voted by the parlaiment of Canada to devleop the harbour at the mouth of the St. Croix. Reliable enginners and master mariners of world wide experience are all agreed that here is an ideal location for a world port. A natural landlocked harbour of sufficient size and depth tro accommodate the merchant marine of the world. A natural habour where without dredging miles of docks could be built to load and unload thelargest ships now afloat. No winter fogs, comparatiely free from ice in the severest seasons and offering the shortest rail haul from the west. But he acceptance or rejection of all government projets is determined by political expediency. Heads are counted and the community which can offer the most votes gets the plums.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 9/1954
Rare Coins Found
Walter Stuart, a sidewalk superintendant of one of the construction jobs presently underway in St. Andrews, is the possessor of a large copper coin, which is 143 years old. It is solid copper about the the manufacturer was the B and B Copper Coin Company of England and its inscription says only payable in London, Swansea or Bristol. The date it carries is 1811 and it is possible this coin could have been dropped by a member of a miitary company which at that time was established at Fort Tipperary. If anyone is in doubt as to the life of the copper tubing the plumber now installs in your house, this copper coin, which is practically as bright as new, is sufficient to prove its long life and durability.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 6/1964
SA Blockhouse only survivor of 14 built during 1812 War, to be restored by National Parks Branch to 1812 condition.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 1/1966
SA Blockhouse getting facelift. One at base of Patrick St gone, and third at Joe’s Point gone also. “Western Blockhouse” only survivor.
St. Croix Courier
April 9/1991
In her letter Mrs. Willa Walker asked that Fort Tipperary, site of the original British garrison in 1812 and former summer home of Lord Shaughnessy built in 1902, should not be included in this tourism commercial area. She said the town must stand on guard and protect the history and heritage of St. Andrews.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 15/1993
Blockhouse, gutted by fire in August, to be restored. Earl Caughey dies Sept 27. 87 years old. Provincial court judge 1963; County court judge 1971. Queen’s Bench 1979, retired 1981.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 11/1998
A Historic Day for SA: Shiretown gets its due with recognition as historic district. A-2.
A grand plaque was unveiled in market square Friday afternoon denoting St. Andrews as a national historic site, Barbara Smith-Graham, a board member of Charlotte County Archives, spoke of the historic significance of St. Andrews. She was assisted by Elise Stuart and Erin Doon, dressed in period costume, who held up sketches done in the 1920s by local artist Frances Wren.
In 1793 a group of United Empire Loyalists determined to remain loyal to British values settled permanently in St. Andrews. The town was laid out in a regular gridiron pattern according to the town plan model developed by British colonial authorities in the 18th century. This, said Smith-Graham, provided extraordinary protection against fire and this legacy has meant that today over 50 percent of the homes are over 100 years old with many almost 200. The gridiron pattern, with reserves for public buildings and defence, and clear definition between urban and non-urban spaces is still clearly evident today. It was in 1995 that the Historic Sits and Monuments Board of Canada recommended that the town be declar3ed of national historic and architectural significance because it is a rare and fine example of a Canadian town retaining the key elements of an 18th century colonial town plan.
It is also distinguished by its fine collection of commercial and residential buildings which span the history of the community and are consistent in the use of elements of British classicism in their design.
The town was laid out by British army engineers under the supervision of Charles Morris, son of the first Surveyor General of Nova Scotia. His plan provided for six streets running parallel to the shoreline with 29 shorter avenues intersecting these at right angles to form 60 blocks, each divided into eight lots.
the street names reflect the Loyalist roots of the settlers—King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and the Christian names of the children of King George III. three areas of land were reserved within the plan for public buildings.
Named the county seat, or Shiretown, of the newly created Charlotte County in 1786, the town soon established itself as a centre for trade, sending such goods as furs, lumber and dried fish to England and the West Indies. The nickname Shiretown ahs remained with St. Andrews to this day.
SA was also a garrison town and during the War of 1812 with the US, the inhabitants erected three batteries with blockhouses along the waterfront and a small fort on the hill overlooking the town, Fort Tipperary, to guard against American privateers.
In the mid-19th century the railway offered business opportu8nites to St. Andrews and plans were developed to build a line between the town and Quebec promoting St. Andrews as the winter port of Canada. Financial difficulties prevented completion of this railway until after construction of the Intercolonial Railway rendering the St. Andrews lien of little commercial value. However the railway was to have a significant impact on the development of the town later in the 19th century when St. Andrews was able to profit from the growth of the tourism industry.
By the turn of the 20th century the town relied almost exclusively on the summer tourist trade for its livelihood and became a significant resort community.
Sa today still incorporates the four basic principles of the British model plan—the grid plan layout, the provision of sites for defensive works, the clear distinction between urban and non-urban property and the reservation of public spaces. market Square is all that is clearly left of the original public reserves. The Blockhouse at the west end of the town and the earthworks at Fort Tipperary to the north still reflect the town’s defence system.
While many of the building sin the commercial area have been altered, in most cases the relation between the buildings and their surrounding in terms of size and architectural style remain largely intact.
From the town’s beginning variations on the traditional forms of British Classicism were used for residential buildings. As the town became more prosperous, these classically inspired structures became more elaborately embellished and incorporated such details as transoms, fanlights, sidelights and detailed woodwork. The most gracious were built of brick.
The residential streets offer a high degree of architectural cohesion and many residential streetscapes have changed little over the years. The four elements of a British colonial town are still evident in St. Andrews two hundred years after the establishment of the plan.
Mayor Chris Flemming said that he had been asked several times what it meant to St. Andrews to have this designation. “It means a great deal. St. Andrews is made up, and has been made up over the years, of many different people beginning with the natives who were first here before the colonials arrived.” He spoke of the many different nationalist of people who came to St. Andrews. This designation as an historic district, he said, reminds them of their history and heritage.
Minister of Health and Community Services Ann Breault said St. Andrews has become a world-class attraction and the region has become a world-class destination area. Prior to the arrival of the Loyalists she said, the are was important to the Passamaquoddy people who continue to be a major cultural component in the region. Miramichi MP Charles Hubbard, who was representing Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Parks), said that when they think of the Greenock church and town of St. Andrews they thin of men, and women of great vision who prepare a tremendous town and beautiful church that they have been able to enjoy through history. NB South West MP Greg Thompson said this was a very significant event for the town of St. Andrews. “A town like no other in this province and I would say in this country. it is deserving of this designation. it will bring rewards in many way as years go by.’ He said the town was joining an illustrious group and added, “It is the most important thing that has happened in this little community in the last 25 years.”
St. Croix Courier
Aug 11/1998
A Historic Day for SA: Shiretown gets its due with recognition as historic district. A-2.
A grand plaque was unveiled in market square Friday afternoon denoting St. Andrews as a national historic site, Barbara Smith-Graham, a board member of Charlotte County Archives, spoke of the historic significance of St. Andrews. She was assisted by Elise Stuart and Erin Doon, dressed in period costume, who held up sketches done in the 1920s by local artist Frances Wren.
In 1793 a group of United Empire Loyalists determined to remain loyal to British values settled permanently in St. Andrews. The town was laid out in a regular gridiron pattern according to the town plan model developed by British colonial authorities in the 18th century. This, said Smith-Graham, provided extraordinary protection against fire and this legacy has meant that today over 50 percent of the homes are over 100 years old with many almost 200. The gridiron pattern, with reserves for public buildings and defence, and clear definition between urban and non-urban spaces is still clearly evident today. It was in 1995 that the Historic Sits and Monuments Board of Canada recommended that the town be declar3ed of national historic and architectural significance because it is a rare and fine example of a Canadian town retaining the key elements of an 18th century colonial town plan.
It is also distinguished by its fine collection of commercial and residential buildings which span the history of the community and are consistent in the use of elements of British classicism in their design.
The town was laid out by British army engineers under the supervision of Charles Morris, son of the first Surveyor General of Nova Scotia. His plan provided for six streets running parallel to the shoreline with 29 shorter avenues intersecting these at right angles to form 60 blocks, each divided into eight lots.
the street names reflect the Loyalist roots of the settlers—King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and the Christian names of the children of King George III. three areas of land were reserved within the plan for public buildings.
Named the county seat, or Shiretown, of the newly created Charlotte County in 1786, the town soon established itself as a centre for trade, sending such goods as furs, lumber and dried fish to England and the West Indies. The nickname Shiretown ahs remained with St. Andrews to this day.
SA was also a garrison town and during the War of 1812 with the US, the inhabitants erected three batteries with blockhouses along the waterfront and a small fort on the hill overlooking the town, Fort Tipperary, to guard against American privateers.
In the mid-19th century the railway offered business opportu8nites to St. Andrews and plans were developed to build a line between the town and Quebec promoting St. Andrews as the winter port of Canada. Financial difficulties prevented completion of this railway until after construction of the Intercolonial Railway rendering the St. Andrews lien of little commercial value. However the railway was to have a significant impact on the development of the town later in the 19th century when St. Andrews was able to profit from the growth of the tourism industry.
By the turn of the 20th century the town relied almost exclusively on the summer tourist trade for its livelihood and became a significant resort community.
Sa today still incorporates the four basic principles of the British model plan—the grid plan layout, the provision of sites for defensive works, the clear distinction between urban and non-urban property and the reservation of public spaces. market Square is all that is clearly left of the original public reserves. The Blockhouse at the west end of the town and the earthworks at Fort Tipperary to the north still reflect the town’s defence system.
While many of the building sin the commercial area have been altered, in most cases the relation between the buildings and their surrounding in terms of size and architectural style remain largely intact.
From the town’s beginning variations on the traditional forms of British Classicism were used for residential buildings. As the town became more prosperous, these classically inspired structures became more elaborately embellished and incorporated such details as transoms, fanlights, sidelights and detailed woodwork. The most gracious were built of brick.
The residential streets offer a high degree of architectural cohesion and many residential streetscapes have changed little over the years. The four elements of a British colonial town are still evident in St. Andrews two hundred years after the establishment of the plan.
Mayor Chris Flemming said that he had been asked several times what it meant to St. Andrews to have this designation. “It means a great deal. St. Andrews is made up, and has been made up over the years, of many different people beginning with the natives who were first here before the colonials arrived.” He spoke of the many different nationalist of people who came to St. Andrews. This designation as an historic district, he said, reminds them of their history and heritage.
Minister of Health and Community Services Ann Breault said St. Andrews has become a world-class attraction and the region has become a world-class destination area. Prior to the arrival of the Loyalists she said, the are was important to the Passamaquoddy people who continue to be a major cultural component in the region. Miramichi MP Charles Hubbard, who was representing Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Parks), said that when they think of the Greenock church and town of St. Andrews they thin of men, and women of great vision who prepare a tremendous town and beautiful church that they have been able to enjoy through history. NB South West MP Greg Thompson said this was a very significant event for the town of St. Andrews. “A town like no other in this province and I would say in this country. it is deserving of this designation. it will bring rewards in many way as years go by.’ He said the town was joining an illustrious group and added, “It is the most important thing that has happened in this little community in the last 25 years.”
St. Croix Courier
July 7/1887
Excursions from different points will be run to St. Andrews tomorrow, when the grand review of the troops by General Middleton takes place and the military ball at the Argyll hotel is to be held. A party from St. Stephen will go down in a tug boat. (Argyll definitely the social center of the town before Algonquin)
St. Croix Courier
Dec 9/1954
Rare Coins Found
Walter Stuart, a sidewalk superintendant of one of the construction jobs presently underway in St. Andrews, is the possessor of a large copper coin, which is 143 years old. It is solid copper about the the manufacturer was the B and B Copper Coin Company of England and its inscription says only payable in London, Swansea or Bristol. The date it carries is 1811 and it is possible this coin could have been dropped by a member of a miitary company which at that time was established at Fort Tipperary. If anyone is in doubt as to the life of the copper tubing the plumber now installs in your house, this copper coin, which is practically as bright as new, is sufficient to prove its long life and durability.