The Past, The Present The men and women who first settled in Orwell Cove almost two centuries ago had to work very hard for long hours to build their homes and clear the land for farming. Most of the early settlers were able to provide for themselves by growing their food and raisinganimals for meat and wool. They spun the wool and made their clothing from the woven cloth. The way of life for these people changed very little as the years passed and a new generation took over. As roads were built through the community, and travel by steamer to Charlottetown became a regular service, many tradesmen began to establish businesses. General stores wee opened and produced was shipped out by boat. Other businesses such as the cheese factory, the tannery, the tailorshop, the dressmakers, the shoemakers and the blacksmith all provided their services to the residents. The " S.S. Heather Belle " began service to charlottetown in 1871 carrying supplies to and from the community and making stops at China Point and on the way to . The "Harland" continued to provide this service from 1909-1938, carrying cargo and passengers. The ship would stay overnight at and returned to Charlottetown the following day. The sound of the fog horn and the sight of the lighthouses along the shore are still a fond memory for the many of the people. Travel on the clay roads by horse and wagons in the summer and sleighs in winter was the way of travel for many who wished to visit with family and friends or to attend church. Around 1920 cars began to appear. The sounds and sights of sleigh bells ringing, and the squeak of sleigh runners on frosty winter nights began to decline. The settlers wanted to provied an education for their children and constructed a one-room school, provided a teacher and encouraged their children to learn. As the years passed, the need for a two-room school was evident, and this structure was built in 1898. It still stands and is now the summer home of the Larkins but it s«H display^ the "Orwell Cove School" sign. Many of the pupils continued thier education after they 161