Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present

Excerpts from:

Chapter Six: Economics

Used with the kind permission of Mrs. W.M.
(Phyllis) Cosgrove October 10, 2001

For the purpose of brevity, only portions have been extracted
from the full text. For a genuine appreciation of Mr. Cosgrove’s
writings please read the entire work. The book is available
from the Kingston Public Library.

Quarries in the Marysville area provided the stone for the Rideau Canal in 1828. Jobs were created for the Islanders as will with the building of vessels to convey the stones and the erection of docks for loading purposes. Stone was produced in the 1840’s for the Welland Canal. The work in the quarries was superintended by Alexander MacKenzie who from 1873 to 1878 was Prime Minister of Canada.

In 1851 the Wolfe Island Railway and Canal Co. was grated permission to build a railway and canal, or either, and to carry passengers, goods, etc. from Kingston, Ont. To Cape Vincent, New York. This company completed a canal from Barrett’s Bay to Bayfield Bay in 1857 but in the 1870’s it was abandoned by its owners.

In 1836 Michael Baker opened the first store in what is now the home of Antione LaRush. His son, Edward, moved the store to a brand new building in 1878. Today (1973) are still served by two members of the Baker family, Marie and Arthur.

Since the turn of the century (1900) many modern utilities have been established on the island. In addition paved highways were constructed in 1934. Hydro power has been available since 1938.

The North American Telegraph Co. installed the first telephone in 1889 in the general operated by Charles Cummins. The first Bell Telephones were installed in the same store in 1906. Eva Prinyer, the first local operator, placed the original call to Montreal. In 1914 an agency office was opened in the residence of a Miss Coyle where it has remained ever since. In 1907 there were 34 telephone users and in 1908 two hundred local calls and fifteen long distance calls were made. Mrs. Prinyer retired in 1941 after thirty-five years of service and was succeeded by Lena Davis until 1958. Mabel Greenwood McRae took over then as chief operator until 1960 when direct dialing replaced the familiar voice of the switchboard operator.

Five cheese factories operated at one time. O’Shea’s, The Silver Springs, Henderson’s Rattray’s and one at the Head near Matt Flynn’s. The last two remaining factories at O’Shea’s and Silver Springs closed down in 1955. Construction of a Kraft Cheese factory has created employment for about twenty-five Islanders.

Rattray's Cheese Factory, Closed 1941.
From "Economics"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 22

Bustard's Store
Owned & operated by Thom Friend from 1873-1929
From "Economics"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 23.

Fargo's Store
Formerly run by C. Coffey, G. Rattray, & C. Cummins.
From "Economics"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 23.

PHOTOS IN BOOK BUT NOT ONLINE:
Canal Silted Over page 22
Abandoned Quarry page 22
Kraft Cheese 1957 page 22
Baker's Store 1878-1973 courtesy N. Neasmith page 23
General Wolfe Hotel operated by Greenwood Bros. since 1955 page 23

The Islands: Books: Winston Cosgroves Wolfe Island Past and Present: Economics

Winston Cosgrove's Wolfe Island Past and Present

Chapter Six: Economics

Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present