An Old Article about an Old Road

It is given in its exact form to capture the flavour of the history and the language of the time.

The Old Road to Placentia

The completion of the road from Holyrood to Salmonier will be effected for one thousand pounds. From all the information I can obtain, and from the calculations I have made, it will require three thousand pounds to perfect the road from Salmonier to Placentia: this sum is exclusive of the cost that must be incurred from the building of bridges at Colinet and Rocky River.

I first travelled over this road with the late Edward Sinnott, one of Placentia's foremost citizens, who afterwards designed and built the Race boat "Placentia," his picked crew of fishermen having hoisted her on their shoulders at Placentia, after a few spells-along the road, deposited her in the placid waters of Quidi Vidi on a beautiful August morning, 1877, where she beat all competitors for the "Fishermen's Prize" in the Regatta of that year.

Our journey was pleasant and very interesting. Leaving the town of Placentia you drive up the "Blockhouse Hill Road," on the top of which, a perfect panorama is unfolded to your gaze, extending some five miles up the beautiful South East Arm to the "Head."

It has been my good fortune to have seen many choice spots and lovely scenery both here and in the Old Country, and a trip from Glasgow to Inverness will reveal to the tourist as he steams through the "Kyles of Bute;" Ben Nevis and Ben Lomond, famous in song and story:

or as he drives or rides through the wooded glen, over mossy road, with a glimpse, here and there, of the ivy-covered "Mucros Abbey," up through the " Gap of Dunlow" and views the scene from the top of "Purple Mountain," with the many lovely Bays and Inlets that fringe the famous "Lakes of Killarney:"

But none of these fair scenes, in my opinion, can equal the beauties of the South East and Northeast Arms of Placentia - dear old familiar spots.

Of course one could not pass without dropping in to have a word with the genial Michael Kelly at "The Head." It was here I met for the first time the affable wife of my friend, Mr. Edward Fulford, proprietor of the "Fulford Hotel."

The Salmon Pools on the South East River and the "Beaver Falls" are considered by sportsmen as amongst the best salmon runs in the Country. Just above the "Four Mile Pool" is the "Connaughtman's Pond," called after that stalwart Irishman, said to be the original " Connaught Ranger," who established his kingdom here long before "Ye Ancient Capital" was visited by our present brave ally - the French. A very large run of fish is often taken from this pond, but most especially is the fishing good, (as my friend Kelly informed me) upon a moonlit night with a balmy zephyr, and if the disciple of the gentle "Issac" is fortunate, he may be beguiled by the dulcet strains of the "Rakes of Mallow" or "The Cruiskeen Lawn" emitted by the melodious voice of the ancient Hibernian as he keeps watch and ward over his preserve.

The next stop was at "The Mountain" and here the late Mr. Croke, father of my friend, the famous sportsman. Pat, managed a large and productive farm. Whilst partaking of refreshments (for man and beast), our host enlivened us with many stories of the goings and comings of past times and named some noted personages who had visited his mountain home. Amongst others he mentioned how the late Bishop Fleming accompanied by Father Nolan, walked from Placentia to "The Mountain," spending the night with him, and next day he accompanied the Bishop to Salmonier; the road at this time being merely a track worn by the feet of pedestrians.

Bidding our host Good-bye, we started for Colinet and on this stage of our journey we drove over the "Cataract Bridge" which spans a very deep ravine with waterfalls rushing down its steep incline;

and so on until you arrive at the famous "Rocky River Bridge." This bridge was then a huge wooden structure, having three steel beams spanning a distance of one hundred and fifteen feet from concrete abutments on either side. The scenery around is most picturesque, and the fall of one hundred feet of foaming rushing water under the bridge, reminds one of Niagara. Its sound is heard some two miles distant by the residents of the peaceful village of Colinet where the river mingles with the waters of St. Mary's Bay.

Unfortunately this bridge was carried away about twenty years ago; the cause assigned being the rafting of ice on the river.

Some years ago, while fishing at Turfy Hole on the North Harbour River, our well known guide, "Billy" Davis, told us what he considered "the real right reason why the bridge fell down." When the steel beams for the bridge were about to be ordered, the Chairman of the Board of Works, (who was not the present genial incumbent) drove over from St. John's to get the correct measurements of the span, which was accomplished by the aid of a banking fishing line. On the way home, the Chairman's carriage met with an accident, and the cabman used about four or five feet of this line to tie up his broken shafts. This manipulation did not become known until the beams were put in position, when it was found they had only a resting place of about half a foot on either side of the concrete abutments. Be this as it may, whether the accident of the Chairman's carriage or the rafting of the ice, caused the loss of this once fine structure, the absence of a bridge across Rocky River, is the chief reason why the old road to Placentia has been abandoned.

The large suspension bridge across Colinet River has been well maintained and is in good condition. Colinet River, North Harbour River and Barachois River contain many choice and likely fishing pools and visitors to Colinet may feel quite certain they will be looked after at the well-kept and comfortable homes of Mrs. Didham and Mrs. Quigley.

A drive of nine miles through a well wooded and romantic country, with many good ponds and trout lakes, brought us to Carey's Hotel, Salmonier, now conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hicks. One the Salmonier River you have many fine Salmon pools, the famous one being, "Pinsent's," "Murphy's" and "Butler's."

Last summer I drove over the road from Salmonier to the Mountain with Mr. Edward Butler, Mr. Patk. Croke started from Placentia and joined us at the Mountain. Both these gentlemen made a thorough inspection of the road, the bridges and cross drains along their respective sections, and have since drawn up a carefully prepared report of the probable cost of putting the road from Salmonier to Placentia in a fit condition for the use of both Motor and Carriage. This report is now in the hands of the Hon. the Minister of Public Works who I may say, has assured me of his hearty co-operation in any joint effort that may be made by citizens and the Public Works Department to rescue from obliteration this once great thoroughfare, which in bygone days connected the Old Capital with the New.

The distance from St. John's to Placentia is about eighty-four miles, only a few hours leisurely motoring for the family week-end, picnicking, or fishing party. The very best accommodation can be had along the whole line. At Holyrood we have O'Rourke's and Butler's hotels famous for cooking and catering; seven miles on the road you will come to the "Peak House" and the proprietor, Mr. Walsh, can give you a lot of valuable tips about the best nearby ponds. Further on is the "Halfway House" after halting of course at "Father Duffy's Well" - God rest him. From this to Hicks', Salmonier, is but nine miles, the drive running through almost a perfect avenue of spruce, pine and birch. You are now in a veritable Sportsman's Paradise. I know of no portion of our Dominion that affords so many attractive opportunities for the sportsman, the sightseer or the motorist that along this old road, and the object of this contribution is to awaken the interest of the newly-formed "Motor Association" in its possibilities.

In the near future when the terrible strife and struggle now convulsing the world, shall have ceased, and peace and tranquillity shall once again reign supreme, I sincerely hope an endeavour will be made which may be successful in reclaiming and rebuilding the now forgotten and forsaken portions of this erstwhile famous old highway.

¹ Morris, K.C. Hon. F. J. (1918). Newfoundland Quarterly. Summer edition. St. John's.

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