Introduction . . .The area in
Lot 47, was originally named Portage for part of the community was part of the original portage from South Lake to East Lake and later the road from North Lake to South Lake. The Portage post office was established in 1844. The community was named Elmira, in 1872 by George B. MacEachern for Elmira, New New York. The name was selected for its euphony.
A brief history . . .
The Elmira Wool Carding Co., met with a severe loss, when the mill was blown down in one of the heavy October storms of 1924. The manager Mr. Joseph Bailey with his characteristic energy, was busy preparing to have a new building erected. He had the greater part of the lumber already on hand and, with fine weather, expected to have the building completed at least on the outside before winter. As the machinery sustained very little damage it was hoped to see the business running in full blast for early next season.
Interesting individuals associated with the community . . .
Neil A. Cheverie 1875-1963, Farmer, renowned and award-winning Fiddler lived here. He played classy against his competiton at Charlottetown's Strand Theatre to win a mammoth Island-wide fiddling contest at the end of March, 1926. A poem describing the event may be found
here. Jim Hornby wrote an article for the
Island Magazine, entitled
The Great Fiddling Contests of 1926.
Hon. Frederick A. Large 1913-1998, member of the Royal Canadian Navy, Lawyer, Member of the Legislature, Cabinet Minister and P.E.I. Supreme Court Justice resided here in his youth. His father was a railway station agent at Elmira for several years.
Away from the area, just at the moment . . .
Images from the Past & Present . . .
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Confederation Trail photo set |
Copyright
Waldron H. Leard
