THE HISTORY
AND PEOPLE OF MAINLAND
This article was printed in the Georgian circa 1982 . Most
of the information for this Community history was taken
from “Tap-Roots”, compiled by Janice de Groot,
Mary Marche, Denise DeGroot, Sandy O’Quinn and Eleanor
Young.
Mainland, or “Grand Terre” as it is referred
to by its French-speaking inhabitants, is a settlement about
ten miles from Lourdes. It is believed that the settlement
received its name from the fishermen who fished at Red Island
(Isle Rouge) and came ashore to the “Mainland”
for supplies. Mainland is also nicknamed “Cow Rock.”
The inhabitants are mostly French-speaking, although they
speak English as well.
EARLY HISTORY:
Some of the early settlers at Mainland were: John Moore,
Victor Marche, Adolph LeVelon, Joseph Briand, Frank Barter,
Joseph Lainey, Frank LeBoubon, Peter LeRue and Peter Payo.
Most of these were French fishermen who came to fish at
Red Island during the Summer and decided to settle. Some
French also came to the area to avoid serving in the French
army. Early settlers depended more on fishing than on farming.
In the summer men would fish at home (Mainland) or on Red
Island. Those fishing from Red Island would usually return
home each Saturday. During the Winter, the men cut wood
for firewood or for making traps. The first sawmill was
owned by John Cornect around 1937. (Mr Cornect came to Red
Island at the age of 16). Prior to the sawmill, men owned
and used their pitsaws, or worked in the woods cutting pulp.
Some can remember getting 90 cents a cord for cutting pulp
in Piccadilly.
CLERGY AND EDUCATION:
The first stationed parish priest in the area was at St.
George’s (Father Belanger). He visited Cape St. George,
several miles down the coast, regularly – as often
as once a month. A priest was never stationed at Mainland.
Before the first priest was stationed in Lourdes (Father
Pineault), Father Joy from Port au Port would come twice
a year, by horse and cart or by a dog team. He would stay
for one or two days at a time. Before the first schools,
anyone who could read or write would read religious books
in their homes. Their children would gather at these houses
and be taught their catechism and prayers (John Moores did
this). The first school, St. Anne’s School (Ecole
Ste. Anne), was built in 1916 by Father Pineault. The first
teacher was Mrs. Gearney. In 1972, it was remodeled to form
St. Anne’s Chapel (Chapelle Ste. Anne). A new primary
school was also built in 1972 and all other grades were
bused to Lourdes.
MAIL SERVICE:
Mail came to West Bay by boat from Port au Port and on to
Lourdes, which was then the distributing centre. From Lourdes,
the mailman carried it by foot or dog and sled to Mainland.
Today, the “rural route” system is used. The
first Post Office was run by Joe Briand and the first telephone
(crank) was installed here. The dial telephone system was
installed in April of 1972.
STORES: The first store was opened in 1920 by John Cornect
from Cape St. George. Mr. Cornect received supplies needed
for the store from bay boats which came in once a month.
This store was very important to the people because it meant
they did not have to walk 30 miles to St. George’s
to purchase supplies. The store was destroyed by fire in
1937. Boats such as the ”Active” and the “Anfiverite”
brought supplies from Port au Port. Supply boats to Red
Island were from Halifax – the “Arlow”
and the “Seal.”
MEDICAL CARE:
The closest doctor was in Aguathuna. Nurse Hall was stationed
at Lourdes before the first doctor came, a Dr. Murray. Nurse
Hall made trips to the outlying areas to care for the sick.
LAW ENFORCEMENT:
There has never been a detachment of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police in the direct vicinity of Mainland, as the
area is covered by the Stephenville Detachment. In the early
days of Mainland, the only law enforcement in the area was
a “Newfoundland Ranger” or magistrate who came
to Cape St. George twice a year, to make the presence of
the law felt. However, the magistrates and policemen did
come to the area if an incident occurred whereby they were
called there. Today regular visits are made around the area
by the RCMP and any complaints are answered promptly. Plans
have been made to have a police detachment placed at Piccadilly
but this has not yet become a reality. **
ROAD’S, TRANSPORTATION
AND ENTERTAINMENT:
Before confederation, there were no roads in Mainland
– only cowpaths. In rainy weather, people would have
to wait for low tide to pass along the beach because the
cowpaths would be too muddy to travel over. The present
roads were built around 1944 with bows and gravel and manual
labor, until the government improved them. The first radio
was owned by a Mr. M. McCarthy. The first sewing machines
were owned by Ella Lainey and Mrs. Joe Briand. Electricity
came into use on November 15th, 1963, and prior to this
kerosene lamps and wood stoves were used. For pleasure,
people of the area would play catch, soccer or bat ball.
They also played cards, held socials and dances. People
would often gather at the home of the late Mr. Joe Lainey
to hear him tell various types of stories.
** NOTE: An RCMP Detachment was eventually placed in Piccadilly
but lasted less than 20 years and the area is once again
policed by the Stephenville Detachment.
- This newspaper article was found among a collection of
newspaper clippings kept by the
Late Veronica Gaudon of Lourdes.
