Poplar Point extends into the Boughton River and is situated in
Lot 55. It was noted in 1925 that poplar trees, rare in this section of the country, are found in abundance here. In 1880, this district was known as Cumberland Hill.
Big Run flows south into the Boughton river at Poplar Point. This the only use of "run" as a term of flowing water in PEI. Big Run was formerly a school area name in Poplar Point. In 1850 Big Run was known as Malcolm Creek. It did not appear as Maclcolm Creek in 1880 but was noted as such in 1925. Malcolm Creek was named for Malcolm MacDonald, a settler in the area ca. 1800.
The Cumberland Hill and Big Run areas were settled prior to 1840. By 1880, surnames included Campbell, Johnston, MacLean, MacLeod, Morrison, Robertson, Robinson and Taylor.
Former P.E.I. premier, federal cabinet minister and teacher described as “a giant of a community man’’ Hon. W. Bennett Campbell P.C. was raised and educated here. Heserved as premier of the Prince Edward island, member of the provincial legislature, federal cabinet minister and after all of that a community man. Campbell succeeded Alex Campbell, who is no relation, as leader of the Liberal party and premier of the province in 1978, but the Progressive Conservatives defeated his short-lived government a year later in 1979.
Campbell entered federal politics, winning the seat left vacant by the death of Cardigan MP Daniel MacDonald in 1980. He later took over MacDonald’s portfolio as minister of Veterans Affairs. He lost his seat in the 1984 Conservative sweep, and was later defeated in the riding of 3rd Kings in the provincial election held on April 21, 1986.
He was born in Montague and his early education was obtained at Poplar Point School. After elementary school, he attended St. Dunstan’s High School and then on to St. Dunstan’s University. In 1962, he entered the teaching profession. He taught for a total of 10 years — eight on Prince Edward Island and two in Montreal. He was first elected to the provincial legislature in 1970 and in 1972 Minister of Education, later serving as Provincial Secretary and Minister of Finance. On Sept. 18, 1978, he was sworn in as Prince Edward Island’s 24th premier since Confederation.
Campbell remained active outside of his political career. He served as superintendent of insurance and official trustee for the province, chairman of Cardigan village council, and president of the North Shore Funeral Co-operative. He was also well known as serving as the long time emcee of the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival.
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