Archaeology in Newfoundland and
Labrador 1997
Edited by K. Nelmes
Historic Resources Overview
Assessment: Ten Commercial Harvesting Areas, Resource Management District
1 (Avalon Peninsula)
Gerald Penney
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Forest
Resources & Agrifoods identified forty-six commercial harvesting areas
in resource management district 1 (Avalon Peninsula). Gerald Penney
Associates Limited was contracted to conduct an historic resource overview
assessment. Ten study areas in ten harvesting areas were selected based on
a preliminary assessment of their historic resources potential. Fieldwork
was carried out between 14 July 1997 and 16 September 1997.
This report presents
assessment results organized by area. A brief settlement and exploration
history appears in an Appendix.
STUDY AREA
Resource management district 1
consists of the Avalon Peninsula and the isthmus connecting it to the main
part of the Island (Figure 1).
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Figure 1.
Study Area.
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METHODOLOGY
Prior to fieldwork,
topographic map and aerial photography interpretation, consultations with
the Culture and Heritage Division, along with documentary research, were
conducted to determine areas with historic resource potential.
FIELDWORK
Sections of commercial
harvesting areas considered to have historic resources potential were
accessed by vehicle and/or foot. The areas were foot-surveyed and
photographed, and test pits were dug.
GEOGRAPHY
The Avalon Peninsula and the
isthmus connecting it to rest of the island form the southeast part of the
Island of Newfoundland. The Peninsula is about 9570 km2. The
isthmus is approximately 40 km long (N-S), and 3-5 km wide at its
narrowest (Seary 1971:18).
The Avalon's 1263 km long
coastline (Seary 1971:18) includes the southern and eastern shores of
Trinity Bay, the whole of Conception Bay, Trepassey Bay, St. Mary's Bay
and the east coast of Placentia Bay. The coast is rugged with steep
escarpments, broken with hundreds of small bays and coves. A small river
or brook empties into almost every cove.
Inland, the land is a hummocky
rolling plateau, 75-250 m above sea level (South 1983:138) with isolated
hills rising above the general level intertwined with numerous ponds and
streams (totalling 14% of the total surface). Bogs and fens are common.
FORESTRY
About 38% (3637 km2)
of the Avalon Peninsula is classed with a greater than 5% forest cover.
About 43% of this was not considered commercial in 1956. These extensive
areas were either burned so severely the soil lacked the capacity to
produce merchantable trees, or was so exposed and poorly drained that tree
growth was inhibited. Large forests were on inland plateaus at elevations
above 500 feet (Wilton 1956:8).
The main productive forests
were in a triangle between the bays of Trinity, Conception, and St.
Mary's. Other extensive areas were in sheltered bays and inlets. About 22%
(2100 km2) of productive forest was small shrubs and seedlings,
with the remainder mainly pulpwood and firewood. Large saw timber did not
exist and small saw timber, 4 to 10 inches, was either privately owned or
restricted to remote areas (ibid:9).
Settlement lumbering was the
original forest industry; John Guy built the first recorded sawmill in
North America in 1610. Domestic harvesting was localized until the
nineteenth century advent of a new sawmill industry in the pine forests of
central Newfoundland. After the pine was cut, the logging industry turned
to pulpwood. During the 1920s, sawmilling made a comeback replacing the
steam driven machinery of the pine era with water-powered mills (Smallwood
1984:303).
Small timber, and its
scarcity, restrict Avalon harvesting to small scale lumbering and
firewood. Commercial operators are generally localized, family operated,
and small scale, rarely using industrial techniques. Avalon commercial
operations are "large scale domestic."
A number of forest fires have
been recorded for the Avalon, leaving only very small areas of natural,
undisturbed forest. In 1862, fires burned the St. John's area, including
Topsail, Freshwater, Bay Bulls Road, and Petty Harbour Road. In 1867,
eleven fires burned areas near Freshwater Bay. Forest fires burned along
the railway line on the isthmus, Placentia Junction, and between Brigus
and Shoal Harbour in 1892 and 1899. In 1934, large areas in Trinity and
Bonavista Bays were burned. In 1951 fires burned areas near Grates Cove,
Branch, Witless Bay, Caplin Cove, Shearston, Western Bay, Cape Broyle,
Colliers, Broad Cove, Ruby Line, Hearts Content, S.E. Placentia, Donovans,
Witless Bay Line, and Colinet Road; there were six outbreaks between Cape
Broyle and Cape Race (Wilton and Evans 1974:112).
HARVESTING
Commercial harvesting activity
on the Avalon Peninsula differs from other areas of the province. Timber
transport using snowmobiles, or all terrain vehicles and sleds causes less
ground disturbance and destruction than skidders and trucks. Forest access
roads are not extensive. Most saw log operators practice selective
harvesting (highgrading). Where rare stands of large saw logs occur, clear
cutting is practiced. Pulp and firewood harvesting on the Avalon use clear
cutting; however, cutovers are not permitted to exceed five hectares.
Haricott, St. Mary's Bay,
Commercial Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The area in question here is
the southern section of the commercial harvesting area, at approximately
the east sides of Harricott Bay and Harricott Pond. The area lies on the
western slope of the height of land between Harricott Bay and Salmonier
Arm of St. Mary's Bay.
Methodology:
We foot-surveyed and
photographed the east shore of Harricott Pond and the east shore of
Harricott Bay. Two test pits were dug on the south side of the bar
separating Harricott Pond and Harricott Bay. Two test pits were also dug
along the east shore of Harricott Bay.
Results:
The shore in this area
consists of sand- and gravel-dominated beaches backed in some areas by a
small pond or gully and forest (Figure 2). In
several areas the land rises abruptly away from the shore. Four test pits
dug were in disturbed thin topsoil over sterile sand and beach gravel. No
historic resources were identified.
Future activity will continue
to access this forest in winter from the shoreline or across the top of
the ridge from the east. The area has low historic resource potential.
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Figure 2.
West Side of Harricott Commercial Harvesting Area; East View.
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Beaver Pond, Placentia Bay,
Commercial Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The study area encompasses the
southeast edge of the Beaver Pond commercial harvesting area at
approximately the confluence of Southeast River and Beaver Pond Brook, and
is located on the steep southeast slope of Southeast River. This section
of the river, including Beaver Pond Brook, flows in a very deep, V-shaped
valley with near-vertical cliffs and numerous rapids and falls.
Methodology:
The study area was viewed and
studied from the highway.
Results:
Forest cover grows from the
northwest shore of the river for about 500 m (to about 100 m asl) where
bog and wet terrain begins. The area is considered to have low historic
resource potential. Log cutting along the upper edge of this forested area
would have to be accessed from the ridge; access from the river is
impossible.
Branch Pond, Placentia Bay,
Commercial Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The study area under
examination here encompasses the southeast edge of the commercial
harvesting area where it approximates the west side of Branch Pond about
two kilometres north of Placentia Junction. Forest cover rises away from
the west side of Branch Pond for about 200 m (about 50 m along the pond)
where boggy, wet terrain begins.
Methodology:
Branch Pond was examined and
photographed.
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Figure 3.
Cutover on East Side of Branch Pond; West View.
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Results:
Limited forestry has been
conducted here, which is evident by small cutovers (Figure 3). The east
side of the pond is dominated by boggy wet terrain. The area has low
historic resource potential.
Second Island Pond,
Placentia Bay, Commercial Harvesting Areas
Study Area:
The area comprises the east
and west edges of the commercial harvesting areas where they approximate
the southern shore of Second Island Pond about nine kilometres northeast
of Long Harbour, Placentia Bay.
Access:
We travelled southeast on an
abandoned rail bed by vehicle from Long Harbour Road Crossing for about
five kilometres, then walked along an all terrain vehicle path through
cutovers and bogs for about one kilometre before reaching the study area.
Methodology:
We studied and photographed
Second Island Pond.
Results:
Apart from a few hardy spruce
trees, wet terrain inhibits tree growth within 500 m of the southeast
shore. The area is thought to have low historic resource potential.
Commercial harvesting here is
small scale, using all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. Saw logs are
small, and a large proportion of cut logs are used for firewood. There are
some small cutovers in the area which show signs of highgrading.
Little Gut Pond, Resource
Access Road
Study Area:
The study area is situated on
the southwest end of the proposed resource access road in proximity to the
north shore of Little Gut Pond about six kilometres north of Placentia
Junction. The pond is surrounded by a boggy unforested area.
Access:
We travelled Spread Eagle Peak
resource access road by vehicle for about four kilometres. We then walked
along an all terrain vehicle trail (Figure 4)
through cutovers and bogs for about one kilometre to the study area.
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Figure 4.
ATV Trail Leading from Forest Access Road to Little Gut Pond.
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Methodology:
We foot-surveyed and
photographed Little Gut Pond shoreline near the proposed forest access
road boundary.
Results:
Little Gut Pond has a cobble
bottom, lacks surface algae and appears lifeless. We consider the area to
have low historic resource potential.
Black Duck Pond, Trinity
Bay, Commercial Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The Study Area is located in
proximity to the east shore of Black Duck Pond about three kilometres
northeast of Heart's Desire. Black Duck Pond is located in a southwest,
northeast oriented valley.
Access:
We travelled an access road at
the end of Martin Rowes Pond Road by vehicle for about 500 m. We then
walked along an all terrain vehicle path over bogs and cutovers for about
two kilometres to reach the study area.
Methodology:
We viewed and photographed
Black Duck Pond.
Results:
The east side of the pond is
backed by marshy wet terrain which inhibits forest growth within 500 m of
the shoreline. An existing forest road from Heart's Content accesses the
northern end of the harvesting area. The area is considered to have low
historic resource potential.
Broad Cove Pond, Commercial
Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The study area is located in
proximity to the east shore of Broad Cove Pond and the river emptying
Broad Cove Pond. The area is in a heavily wooded inaccessible area on the
steep west slope of a northwest-southeast oriented valley.
Access:
We travelled Broad Cove Pond
access road for about one kilometre, then walked about 300 m through scrub
forest before viewing the study area from a hill.
Methodology:
The study area was examined
and photographed.
Results:
Future access to this forest
will be from the north. An existing road system now leads to the northern
side of the forest from the Conception Bay side of New Harbour Barrens.
The area is considered to have
low historic resource potential.
Hennesseys Pond, Commercial
Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The study area is in the low
land south of Dog Hills around Jakes Gully, Hennesseys Pond, and
encompasses other unnamed ponds about eight kilometres southeast of
Foxtrap, Conception Bay. The majority of the study area consists of cattle
pasture and access roads.
Access:
The crew travelled south on
Dog Hills access road by vehicle for about two kilometres, then walked
along the access road through the Dog Hill community pastures for about
two kilometres to view the study area from a small hill.
Methodology:
The study area was
photographed and examined.
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Figure 5.
West View across Pasture to Commercial Harvesting Area.
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Results:
Forest cover is limited to the
north end of the designated commercial harvesting area, in an area divided
by an electrical transmission line (Figure 5). The
area is considered to have low historic resource potential.
Witless Bay Country Pond,
Commercial Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The study area is the
commercial harvesting area located on the southern edge of the north shore
of Witless Bay Country Pond, about six kilometres northwest of Witless
Bay. It is located in a heavily wooded, inaccessible area on the steep
south slope of a 213 m asl high hill.
Access:
The crew travelled Country
Pond road by vehicle for about three kilometres to reach a dam at the
south end of Witless Bay Country Pond, then walked around the north shore
of the pond to view and photograph the study area. We then travelled
northwest on Witless Bay access road for another 12 kilometres by vehicle
to view the north edge of the Witless Bay commercial harvesting area.
Methodology:
The crew studied and
photographed the study area.
Results:
Witless Bay Country Pond was
dammed for hydro development after 1951, raising the water above its
natural level. The natural beach is submerged by about 5 m of water. Dam
construction and associated hydro developments at Pierre's Brook, Tors
Cove, and Mobile made the area easily accessible. The intersection of the
new forest access road and the road to the dam is substantially modified
and occupied by vehicle campers during the summer. A 1951 map shows
numerous secondary access trails and paths. The study area is considered
to have low historic resource potential.
Snows Ridge, Commercial
Harvesting Area
Study Area:
The study area is a 0.5 km
area of very small growth forest east of Snows Pond, about five kilometres
west of Makinsons. The study area is located on the steep west slope of
Snows Ridge about 406 m asl.
Access:
The crew travelled southwest
on North River access road by vehicle for about 6 kilometres to reach the
end of the navigable road, then walked along an old trail up the west
slope of Snows Ridge (Figure 6). We then walked
northeast along a blueberry development area cutline.
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Figure 6.
Snows Ridge; South View to Snows Pond.
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Methodology:
The crew viewed, photographed,
and foot-surveyed the study area.
Results:
Forest cover is patchy and the
area does not appear to have commerical value. A posted blueberry
development area forms the western side of the commercial harvesting area.
Cutting in the harvesting area occurs in winter by crossing Snows Pond on
snowmobile. Little valuable timber remains in the area. The area is
considered to have low historical resource potential.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Loggers should be advised on
the recognition of chance historic resource finds and how to report them
to the Culture and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation. Planned road corridors, dam sites, or other construction
areas should be assessed to Stage 1 Historic Resources Overview Assessment
standards.
Appendix:
Brief Settlement and
Exploration History
Settlement histories of Avalon
Peninsula communities near study areas are summarized here:
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Spread Eagle, a fishing
community, was settled before 1870 and resettled around 1967.
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Harricott was settled
before 1836. Throughout the 19th century Harricott residents earned
their livelihood through fishing, subsistence farming, and after 1900,
through sawmilling.
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Foxtrap, between Long Pond
and Kelligrews, was settled before 1845. Until the 1950's Foxtrap was
primarily a fishing-farming settlement with sawmilling and mining at
Bell Island.
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Mahers, a railway siding
between Brigus Junction and Ocean Pond, was permanently settled by
1950. Most residents were involved with the railway or sawmills. It is
now a cottage area.
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Heart's Desire, on the
east shore of Trinity Bay, seven kilometres north of Heart's Delight,
was settled by 1790. Heart's Desire depended on fishing, farming, and
lumbering.
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Placentia Junction, on the
railway line 12 kilometres southwest of Whitbourne, settled by railway
employees after 1890, is now a cottage area.
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Villa Marie, a railway
siding where the Placentia spur crossed Placentia to Fox Harbour road,
was settled after 1890. In 1970 it was the site of a silica mine.
Exploration
The first recorded exploration
of the Avalon Peninsula was by Henry Crout, a member of John Guy's
colonial enterprise. Crout went overland from Cupids to Hopeall in 1612,
explored by boat the whole coastline from Cupids to Dildo and into
Mosquito Cove in Bull Arm, the isthmus between Trinity Bay and Placentia
Bay, the interior south of Dildo Pond and the barrens between Harbour
Grace and New Harbour (Gilbert 1990).
Large portions of the Avalon
Penisula interior were officially explored by Frederick R. Page and James
P. Howley (Seary 1971). Neither explored near the study areas.
Page surveyed a proposed road
route between Holyrood, Conception Bay, and Ship Harbour, Placentia Bay,
with the assistance of Micmac guides. He went along Hodgewater River from
Level Pond, near Cupids, to Ocean Pond, and west past Spread Eagle Peak to
Coles Pond, then southwest past Long Harbour to Ship Harbour. He provides
toponyms since fallen out of use and describes the geography and geology
of the areas through which he passed. He makes reference to Indian wigwam
sites along Hodgewater River and describes his camping locations. Modern
woodsmen from the area still use "Page's Line" as a convenient
marker.
Howley, as part of the 1872
Geological Survey of Newfoundland, traced Page's route to Ocean Pond,
continued south along Ocean Pond to Round Pond West, Long Pond, and
Bethunes Pond (at Whitbourne) to "The Forks" of Hodgewater River
and Rocky River and on to St. Mary's Bay. He recorded his camp site
locations and Micmac toponymy.
REFERENCES
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Gilbert, William
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1990
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"Divers Places:
The Beothuk Indians and John Guy's voyage into Trinity Bay in
1612." Newfoundland Studies 6(2):147-167.
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Seary, E.R.
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1971
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Place Names
of the Avalon Peninsula. University of
Toronto Press: Toronto.
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Smallwood, J.R. et al.
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1984
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Encyclopedia
of Newfoundland and Labrador. Vol. II.
Institute of Social and Economic Research, Memorial University of
Newfoundland: St. John's.
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Wilton, W.C.
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1956
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"Forest Resources
of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland." Department of
Northern Affairs and Natural Resources. Forestry Branch, Forest
Research Division. Technical Note No. 50.
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Wilton, W.C. and C.H
Evans
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1974
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"Newfoundland
Forest Fire History." Newfoundland Forest Research Centre.
Information Report N-X-116.
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