AN ISLAND CENTRE

In the early 1800’s Townsends Corner, now Traveller’s Rest Corner, was one of the well-known Island centres for stage coach stops. Overnight lodging was also provided for weary travellers, who quite often travelled on horse-back, at that time their only means of transport. At the beginning. accommodation was in a log cabin which was provided by the government.

The story is told of one way farer who spent the night at this cabin. He made himself comfortable by using the fuel provided and later wrote

“Traveller's Rest" above the door; thus the disrict reputedly got its present name.

As time went on and school districts were outlined, Traveller‘s Rest Corner was expanded to include more territory. On the Old Post Road. (that is the main highway between Traveller’s Rest and Kensington), the New Annan boundary reached to the brook about 300 yards east of Trav- eller’s Rest School and Hall. Thus the early settlers by the name of March- bank and Walker and the Country store were, and still are, addressed as New Annan.

The lower road which is nearer to the North Shore is now in Trav- eller’s Rest district, but was formerly known as the Barbara Weit Road.

When Meachim's Atlas was published in 1880, Traveller’s Rest had approximately 30 farms and a very few other home owners. To-day many farmers have sold lots and present homes in the district number 75. Only ten families are actually engaged in farming operations.

“INNS”

In early days when there was only a bridle path from Charlottetown to the west of the Island, the Government erected a log house at Townsend's Corner. It has a fireplace and a supply of dry wood always on hand for the convenience of travellers.

One early settler, John Townsend. owned and operated one of several inns at Townsend's Corner, now Traveller’s Rest Corner. Another inn was located where the war memorial now stands. it was known as the Clifton inn and was operated by Mrs. John Milligan. Several taverns were located at this Corner over the years and here, and elsewhere in Prince Edward Is- land. the sale of liquor was big business. Rum imported from the West Indies was sold to the public by the taverns and alcohol eventually became a problem. As early as 1773, government intervened and passed a law re- quiring a license to sell liquor. In 1852 a further law was passed requiring taverns to supply bedding and stabling for travellers and their horses. Not- withstanding these precautions, intoxication among the people became so widespread that clergymen and others interested in the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the country began to exert pressure in the direction of total abstinence. To help control this problem, Sons of Temp- erance Divisions were organized.

Traveller's Rest division began in 1885. The Prohibition Act was passed in 1900. Shortly after, this act was repealed and the Temperance Act was introduced in its place. in 1951 the Temperance Act was renamed the Liquor Control Act, which remains effective to date.

19