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STANLEY HOUSE,

STANLEY BRIDGE, P. B. I.

JOSEPH WHITEHEAD, PROPRIETOR,

Fine accommodations for perminant and Transient Boarders,

Tourists accommodated at moderate Rates.

The above was advertised in FREDERICKS P.E.l. DIRECTORY 1889-90.

This is believed to be one of the first public notices on the North Shore to list accommodations for tourists visiting our Island. The house was located on a lot west of the Nicholson’s Tailor Shop. No buildings are on this site today, although the house has had an important past. Joseph Whitehead was married to Eliza MacEwen, Campbellton, but the family moved to Cape Breton in later years where Mr. Whitehead found employment in the carpenter trade.

The story is told, that, if travellers were staying for more than one day, they could order a new suit from the tailor next door, and it would be ready before the sailing vessel would depart the next day.

It is also believed that this house was used as an office by the Custom House for the port of Stanley — Edward McEwen, Sr. — a brother of Eliza Whitehead, was the Customs Officer for

many years.

For years after the decline of the vessel-building era, there is no evidence of a great tourist busi— ness in the area. However, practically every household kept boarders at one time or another. Some would be teachers, boat builders, cannery workers, dairy factory employees, road and bridge builders, or those who came by train to Breadalbane, Hunter River, or Kensington, to spend more than a day conducting business in the area.

The next established business was named Stanley Retreat. This was operated by Mrs. George Bell and daughter Emma. This large house, located across from the present hall, burned in the fire of 1929. This early travellers’ lodge was operated by Mrs. John Taylor, and her daughter Catherine, who purchased the Bell home after Emma Bell married and moved to British

Columbia.

The Wedlock homestead was also a well-known name for the acceptance of travellers before the turn of the century. They were located at the intersecting roads leaving Stanley Bridge going to Cavendish, or New Glasgow. The Wedlocks boarded teachers, as well as other long

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