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The Town History of Norris Arm |
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The Town History of Norris Arm |
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Prior to the settlement of Norris Arm, a group of people known as the Beothuck Indians inhabited the Central Region of the Island including the area of present day Norris Arm. As the Exploit's River, Rattling Brook and the surrounding ecosystem, provide bountiful supplies of salmon and other food sources, it is not surprising that such a location was chosen by the Beothuck. Relics of the Beothuck have been discovered nearby at Rattling Brook and Wigwam Point thus preserving the heritage of these people for years to come.
Our community was first settled in the 1700's by J. Norris. Over the years, Norris Arm thrived on the logging industry as several mills were located along its banks. With time, however, the arrival of larger logging and shipping companies to the area caused the success of the smaller mills to decline.
By the late 19th Century, the Reid Newfoundland Company had reached Norris Arm with its construction of the railway. At that time, railway tracks started in St. John's and stopped here in Norris Arm. This opened doors by way of train to the east coast of Newfoundland. When the railway came, people flocked to the area bringing with them employment and settlers. In the mid 1890's, a railway station was built to help cope with the overflow of travelers.
Around this time the railway was completed across the province. It provided easy travel for loggers and other passengers and was also used to transport lumber, animals, etc.
As the Trans Canada highway was completed, the use of the railway was downgraded. It eventually stopped operating in 1989 when it made its final run. However, memories of being awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of the train's whistle still remain.
In 1933, a military hangar was constructed by Saunders and Howell. Prior to its construction, two planes, which were moored near the beach, were destroyed in a storm. It is believed that because of this incident, the hangar was built. Two planes, Foxmoth and Fairchild, were housed at the hangar and sent daily for observation flights. The hangar was also used to do survey work for the future Gander airport that was built 10 years later. It is said that the first plane to land in Gander had taken off from Norris Arm.
The hangar was used during WWII, at which point the Botwood Hangar was built. Use of the Norris Arm Hangar declined from this point on and was later closed. It was used as a skating rink for many years until it was dismantled in 1971. The foundation of the building can still be seen next to the Government Wharf.
Rattling Brook has been utilized by the residents of Norris Arm in many ways. The abundance of salmon in its waters has always been an attraction. It was used for log drives, pulpwood drives and pitptop drives for the prosperous lumbering and logging industry. In 1958, Newfoundland Light and Power opened a hydro-electric generating plant on the river. Every home in Norris Arm was wired for electricity at this time. In 1972-73 street lights were placed throughout the town.
The logging industry has ultimately been the backbone of our community throughout the years. The first lumber mill was opened in the late 1800's and was built near the beach in the center of the town. It was owned by the New Land Lumber Company (later The Central Forest Company). This mill was destroyed by fire in the early 1900's.
A second mill, owned by Harry J. Crowe, was built not long after in the same place. Crowe sold most timber rights near Norris Arm to the A.E. Reed Company pulp mill at Bishop's Falls, and these rights were later purchased by the A.N.D. Company at Grand Falls. In 1913, the Reed Company sold the Norris Arm saw mill to Saunders and Howell. This mill was also destroyed by fire ca. 1920.
A third mill was constructed on the same site by Saunders and Howell. In 1943, the smoke stack blew down and in 1949, the remainder of the mill was demolished.
During the days of the lumber mills, workers were paid approximately 50 cents per day and about 50 people were employed. The mill was the livelihood of Norris Arm for many years and was responsible for the development of Norris Arm. The men worked at the mill in the summer and in the woods during the winter.
Approximately 75 men worked cutting wood and logs for the mill. There were ten camps located at Amy's Lake, Rattling Lake and Big Lake. Large amounts of supplies were needed and had to be brought to the camps every day. It was ten miles to and from the camps and it took ten to twelve working hours every day to get supplies to the camps.
The winter months were very hard for the logger who worked around the lakes. On one occasion, to get supplies after a snow storm, a state of emergency was declared and everyone available was employed to clear a ten mile road to the lakes. It was cleared using shovels and horses.
Their living conditions were far different from those which exist today. The bunk houses and cabins were built by the men for their sleeping quarters. Their beds were made from green boughs, and in later years, they were supplied with mattresses.
The loggers were supplied with three meals a day; breakfast, dinner and supper. Their breakfast consisted of beans and hot porridge and dinner consisted of beans and ginger snaps. Supper was different every day: Monday - bologna, Tuesday - pea soup, Wednesday - beans and hot bread, Thursday - duff day (two puddings, salt beef, spuds, carrots, turnip and cabbage), Friday - fish day. There was always a good supply of salt fish and herring.
The foreman lived in the fore peak. This was headquarters for first aid and other necessary supplies such as tobacco, cigarettes and blankets. If anyone was very ill or had an accident, they would have to be carried out of the camp by the rest of the men. The first aid kit contained only bandages and lineament.
Lumbering was the largest industry, but after the Depression the sawmills phased out. The pulpwood demand had claimed control over a huge percentage of the timberlands, thus closing out the area in which the sawmill could secure logs to prosper.
The first pick-up truck came to Norris Arm in the early to mid-1920's. It was a Model T, with wooden spokes owned by Paddy MacDonald. Around 1937, Bernard MacDonald introduced a two wheel "Phillips" bicycle that was made in England.
Throughout the years, different types of transportation have been used by various companies in the town. "The Gunshot Speed Carriage" shipped logs from the mill and a speeder carried the water pumps. The Military Hangar housed to airplanes, the "Foxmoth" and the "Fairchild".
A medical boat, The Christmas Seal, visited Norris Arm twice a year and performed x-rays, tests, etc. Local boats were used to make medical trips to Botwood. Dickey Lacey's Passenger Boat made regular trips to and from Botwood for a fee of $3.00 per trip; this fee would be divided among the passengers. A few smaller boats were also used as a taxi service.
Before long, however, Norris Arm received modern types of transportation.
The first meeting of the Norris Arm Town Council was held on Saturday, August 14, 1971. The meeting proceeded with discussions and action to be taken on the following: a building for the town office; local road improvements and landscaping; the possibility water and sewer; playgrounds and bus shelters; town clean-up; boundary lines and building lots; town clerk; council meetings; dismantling of hangar; cartographic maps of Norris Arm; and street lights.
In 1971, the Norris Arm Volunteer Fire Department