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Each Saturday we've posted a new ad on the front page of the morning paper, with a trivia question from ITs illustrious history.
Whether you get the answer correct or not, all you have to do to win is call and guess!
Here is the latest in the series:
GUESS AT IT WEEK 5: ANSWER - CARTOONIST WAYNE WRIGHT
Check it out HERE:
GUESS AT IT WEEK 4: ANSWER - HON. WILLIAM RICHARDS!
Guess at IT! Week 4: IT went from general store to warehouse - whose? You already know that it was once a general store that served locals faithfully in St. Eleanor's for many years (thank you, Mr. William Reid) and now you know that it was purchased by Hon. William Richards. In fact, its "Heritage Property Name" is "Richards Warehouse" and owned by him from 1872-1913. In his lifetime he was a renowned shipbuilder in both Summerside and Egmont bay; of course, we already mentioned he married Susan Yeo; and he even went on to serve many fruitful years in parliament - as did his sons, James and John, after him.
A watercolour of "Green's Shore" shows a local
passing by the "Richards Warehouse"
The following is an excerpt, courtesy of the Summerside historical society and you can also read more about him HERE, courtesy of wikipedia!Capt. Richards was born in Swansea, Wales in 1819 and as a young master mariner came in contact with ship owner James Yeo of Port Hill. In 1849 he married Mr. Yeo’s daughter, Susan, and continued his career of sailing ships, eventually settling in Bideford and building ninety-four ships of his own, many of which were sold in the British Isles.1 In 1870 he purchased several pieces of land in Summerside from Donald Ramsay, including a shipyard running 254 feet along the shore opposite the lot at the bottom ofCedar Street.2
Donald Ramsay and his wife, Ann Simpson, were early residents of Summerside, their six children being born in the town between 1857 and 1876.3 For many years Donald and his brothers John and Hugh built ships for local businessmen.4 There is some possibility that the warehouse might have been constructed by Donald Ramsay. Sometime before 1881 he and his family moved to Lot 13 where he continued his trade as a shipbuilder5 prior to moving to the United States in the mid 1880s.6 It is assumed that William Richards used the warehouse measuring 80 by 28 feet to store produce, principally grain, which was shipped on board his numerous vessels that sailed from Summerside to Great Britain, South America, and the Mediterranean.7 Between 1864 and 1881 twelve ships of various types were built for him at Summerside,8 most of them by John Ramsay who held the position of foreman in the Richards shipyard for many years.9
Hon. William Richards served in the PEI Legislature in the 1870s and was a principal shareholder in the Charlottetown Steam Navigation Company.10 He was an active traveller up until his death at age 94 in 1913.11 Both of his sons also entered public office. James (b.1850) served in the House of Assembly from 1873 until 1904 and then was a Member of Parliament from 1908 to 1915. John (b.1857) represented 2ndPrince in the Legislative Assembly from 1908 to 1916 and worked with his father in shipbuilding and produce export.12 At some point the property at 359 Water Street was put in his name. After his death at age 60 in March 191713 his widow, Isabel (nee Broad) sold the warehouse to Brace, McKay Company Limited.14GUESS AT IT WEEK 3: ANSWER - JAMES YEO!
Guess at IT! Week 3: ITs owner's father-in-law was PEI famous. Who was he?
Famous, famous, famous, that is! James Yeo was known to be a gruff, intelligent, demanding and business savvy man. The famous shipbuilder, store-owner and "richest man on the colony" was also stringent about who his daughters could marry. One of the Lofts at 359 Water's original owners, a captain and business partner, was privileged enough to married James Yeo's daughter...but we won't let this man's name slip yet...because his name is the answer of next week's trivia!Captain Yeo built his famous homestead in what is now Tyne Valley area, on land he himself named "Green Park". He was one of the first to bring his shipbuilding endeavors not only to the Island, but also to Summerside. Have you been to his house? Visit his and come back to live in IT! You can read more about the Yeos HERE.
GUESS AT IT WEEK 2: ANSWER - ST. ELEANOR'S!
Guess at IT! Week 2: IT once served folks WHERE before being moved closer to rail and water access? For many years - certainly from the 1870s, if not before - it was located at the St. Eleanor's corner (on the quadrant occupied by the present municipal building) where it served as a general store operated by William Reid.The "Sketches of Old St. Eleanor's" (published in 1973 by the St. Eleanor's Women's Institute) tell us that the building was sold to Samuel Bernard "about 1894" and later (seemingly before 1906) moved to its present location on Water Street.
The Aerial View of the general store after being moved
from St. Eleanor's to Green's Shore (downtown Summerside waterfront)
by Samuel Bernard, about 1894
GUESS AT IT WEEK 1: ANSWER - WILLIAM REID!
GUESS AT IT! WEEK 1: Who owned IT? (Hint: Initials are W.R.) Correct! The Lofts at 359 Water were previously owned - and operated - by one "William Reid". We imagine good Mr. Reid would be so proud to see his old general store has received quite the renovation! If you haven't called in yet, please do so (902-436-1300) and let Angela know just how historically savvy our locals are! The Lofts at 359 Water rewards all calls! Scroll down for more on life at The Lofts at 359 Water!CALL WITH A GUESS AND YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED IN OUR DRAW! Call Angela at 902-436- 1300!
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