Remember When…
As promised, we have another list for our Remember When Series
Again, we invite any additions to these lists. Certainly others must have memories or stories passed down that could be shared.
Our dredged river was navigable with five channel markers.
Lincoln Pulp Company of Lincoln Maine maintained an office in the now New Horizon’s Building, formerly the first bank in Bear River.
A leather shop was operated by Foreman Hardy.
Families went to church.
Green Lantern Building movies were shown on Saturday nights.
Christmas concerts were at the school and were a big event.
School was left out for a half a day when the Exhibition was on.
Betty Pictou’s annual float of campfire and teepee in the Bear River Cherry Carnival was of special interest.
Women’s institute was very active in our community.
The Ladies Auxiliary of our Royal Canadian Legion gave scholarships.
Vernon Harris and Lawrence Henshaw were postmasters in the old post office.
The school burned coal for heat.
Annie Barr had a ladies dress shop.
The Royal Bank was located in the IOOF building, which was built in 1920.
We had a natural food store.
Fred Harris sold insurance.
Will Yargle came to town by horse and buggy.
The steam trains whistle was heard when the wind blew from the east.
Cows would be heard bawling at night to be milked.
Bruce Read delivered fresh milk.
A converted landed barge carried pulp wood weekly to Bangor Maine.
Cars used chains on their wheels to navigate snow-covered hills in winter.
Steam shovels rebuilding the River Road (1946)
Horses knew how to work in the woods.
A small boat dock with steps was next to the main street.
The telephone office with switch boards and operators was our link to the world.
The Baptist Church held Sunday School picnics on nearby beaches.
The community Christmas tree was erected where the post office now stands.
The Carnival was held below the bridge.
Harold Potter operated a woodworking shop in the old church moved from the Loyalist Cemetery area, to a location on Campbell’s Brook at the foot of Sissiboo hill.
Old ship’s signal flags were flown across the main street at Cherry Carnival time.
The one Bear River fire truck was housed in the building across from present day Oakdene Center.
Tommy Cod were caught in uptown Bear River.
Bill Morine fished bass in his double-ender green wooden boat with a make-and-break engine.
The Village of Bear River, a Very Interesting Place …
It was and is, all about the river.
Future posts will attempt to inspire residents and visitors alike, by presentations of interest, including many unknowns in regards to our river.
The interest of Millyard Campground and Cottages visitors have shown through questions asked and photos taken confirm that our river is truly special.
Tourism is now what Bear River is all about. We all need to make the best of it.
The first photo is of a large sailing vessel docked at the lower part of Clarke’s Wharf. This was to accommodate the draft of this large square-rigged vessel. Photo by Harry Benson.
The second photo shows the Bear River Academy, the Church of England and the church building previously known as the United Church of Canada.
The foreground of the second photo shows the same vessel including two small barges that were used to top-load the vessel. These barges would unload their cargo at what is known locally as Peck’s Hole near the mouth of the river. The vessel could stay afloat at Peck’s Hole at low tide.
For the benefit of our residents and for the enjoyment of our visiting guests, Our Times and Tides shall be continued.
We will also be continuing to develop and change aspects of our www.tidalvillage.ca website, in an effort to create added interest in our community and make all aware of potential opportunities and the present services.
We invite anyone in our community that offers a service, whether for our residents or in the interest of tourism, to contribute their information for free inclusion on this www.tidalvillage.ca site. To contribute, please send a private message. We will be including past, present and future stories, events and possibilities.
To begin with, here is a bit of past industry in regards to several mill operations.
Mills in Bear River …
There were several saw mills in the area, established before 1850 and extending until 1992.
In 1914, the "Head of the Tide" boasted of their lumber sawmill, shingle mill, and granite works.
Later a stave mill was located in the same area. The Imbert Mill at the head of the tide was the first mill in Bear River.
Clarke Brothers were very successful in their lumber operations. In 1897 their estimated volume was in the vicinity of $200,000. They expanded on this by adding a hardwood dowel and clothes pin factory. The company by this time owned over 10,000 acres of timberland. In the early 1920's, Clarke Brothers invested heavily in a pulp mill located at the mouth of the river. It is reported that the investment there was five million dollars. This venture proved not to be successful, for a number of reasons.
In 1942, Darres Brothers arrived at Clarke Marsh to set up their steam mill to saw lumber. They later built a second mill and sold it to Bernard Alcorn, who ran a very successful operation. This mill was destroyed by fire and replaced by a more modern, completely electric mill.
It is understood that they were sawing over 6 million board feet of lumber per year.
In years following, the mill was run by Gerald Buckler. All mill operations at that location ceased in 1992. That area is now the site of Bear River Millyard Recreation.
“STILL STANDING”…
Could our future, perhaps be in our past?
• Let us consider the evolution of our Bear River community during the past 150 years.
• In 1871, the areas that were to become Bear River were two separate communities; Hillsborough in Digby County, and Bridgeport in Annapolis County.
• In 1871, there were approximately ninety-two family names in the two areas. Presently, there are approximately twenty-nine family names from that time, still living and/or connected to Bear River.
• From 1871 to 1930, approximately thirty-two additional family names were added to the population. Of those, twenty-seven family names are still residents or are connected. This makes a total of approximately fifty-six family names that have been residents of our community over those years.
• At the time between 1871 and up until the 1930’s, a resident anticipating in shopping, visiting or socializing in the village center, would reference their excursion as going, “To the Bridge,” the hub of the community. This location was the center of activity, particularly up until the early 1900s.
• The hub of the community, #1. “STILL STANDING”…
Could our future, perhaps be in our past?
• Let us consider the evolution of our Bear River community during the past 150 years.
• In 1871, the areas that were to become Bear River were two separate communities; Hillsborough in Digby County, and Bridgeport in Annapolis County.
• In 1871, there were approximately ninety-two family names in the two areas. Presently, there are approximately twenty-nine family names from that time, still living and/or connected to Bear River.
• From 1871 to 1930, approximately thirty-two additional family names were added to the population. Of those, twenty-seven family names are still residents or are connected. This makes a total of approximately fifty-six family names that have been residents of our community over those years.
• At the time between 1871 and up until the 1930’s, a resident anticipating in shopping, visiting or socializing in the village center, would reference their excursion as going, “To the Bridge,” the hub of the community. This location was the center of activity, particularly up until the early 1900s.
• The hub of the community, with nine roads like the spokes of a wheel, supported industry and experienced great changes and development.
• The uniqueness of our Bear River did not and does not stop there. Where do you find a community with four tributaries and the mighty Bay of Fundy all joining together (at the head of the river), within half a kilometer radius? The ironic part is that, despite this natural water movement, we are still a village of limited water supply in the downtown.
• In reference to the nine roads, eight are still in existence. Many of our roads have been renamed; however we still have some originals like the Chute Road and the Bell Road.
• Perhaps our only true history connection to road names is now forgotten, that being the Imbert Hill Road, which present day is the extension of the River Road running past the Bear River Volunteer Fire Department.
• Also, our uniqueness includes two flats and a level. The historic flats are located at the present-day head of the tide, the site of the prior cooperage mill, and the Clarke flat by Clarke Marsh which is now home of Bear River Millyard Recreation Campground and Cottages.
• The level is located adjoining the Bear River Ball Field area along the Lansdowne Road, and was utilized as the shooting range for the First World War recruits.
• I guess to summarize this historical piece we need to ask, “Where else in Nova Scotia will you find a community on a tidal river with four tributaries, and eight roads of support and convenience?”
• The hub of the Community with nine roads like the spokes of a wheel, supported industry and experienced great changes and development.
• The uniqueness of our Bear River did not and does not stop there. Where do you find a community with four tributaries and the mighty Bay of Fundy all joining together (at the head of the river), within half a kilometer radius? The ironic part is that, despite this natural water movement, we are still a village of limited water supply in the downtown.
• In reference to the nine roads, eight are still in existence. Many of our roads have been renamed; however we still have some originals like the Chute Road and the Bell Road.
• Perhaps our only true history connection to road names is now forgotten, that being the Imbert Hill Road, which present day is the extension of the River Road running past the Bear River Volunteer Fire Department.
• Also, our uniqueness includes two flats and a level. The historic flats are located at the present-day head of the tide, the site of the prior cooperage mill, and the Clarke flat by Clarke Marsh which is now home of Bear River Millyard Recreation Campground and Cottages.
• The level is located adjoining the Bear River Ball Field area along the Lansdowne Road, and was utilized as the shooting range for the First World War recruits.
• I guess to summarize this historical piece we need to ask, “Where else in Nova Scotia will you find a community on a tidal river with four tributaries, and eight roads of support and convenience?”
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