Chapter 1 “THE RISING VILLAGE”: SOUTHPORT IN 1855

(This unsigned report appeared in the columns ofHaszard’s Gazette, 8 August 1855.)

We have observed for some time a gradual increase in the number of buildings on the side of the Harbour opposite Charlottetown, and being desirous of ascertaining the extent of the improvements, we availed ourselves of the polite offer of John Roach Bourke, Esq., and were steamed across on Thursday last, very much to our satisfaction as far as the boat and all belonging to her were concerned. We enter our protest, however, against the landing places. On this side, particularly, instead of the present slip, the approach to which is at all times awkward, there should be a floating inclin- ed plane, level with the deck of the boat at all times of tide, so that horses and vehicles could be driven on it every trip without the riders or drivers dis- mounting. The water in front of some other street should be used for this purpose; that of Cumberland Street is directly opposite to the new wharf building on the other side, and would enable the boat to make a greater number of trips in the course of the day; but of this hereafter.

At present our business is with the rising village, and we confess we were not a little surprised at the style and magnitude of the buildings erected within the last year or two, as well as those in progress. Messrs. Beer have a store that would appear respectable in any street in Charlottetown. Mr. Mutch is finishing a building intended for a dwelling house and store, in a style which does him credit, and is fully equal to anything on this side of the water. Mr. George Moore has nearly completed one, intended for a retail shop and boarding house [Stratford House, opened October 1855], and when we say that our friend William McKay is there, with plaster cornices and centre pieces, we give a sufficient idea of the style in which they do things there.

There is an extensive blacksmith’s shop, and Rendall has a tannery on a very respectable scale. The never failing ‘Licensed to sell spiritous liquors’ tavern is there also, but as a set off to this, there is to be a Church erected in the course of the Autumn.

Here, then, are all the requisites of a Town, and the site chosen for it is an excellent one, having a gentle descent, and standing so high, that if it be not thoroughly drained, it will be the fault of the inhabitants. It is well