looking back - the death of a downtown

7/30/2019 Looking Back - The Death of a Downtown

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LOOKING BACK - THE DEATH OF A DOWNTOWN

An old recipe book stirs memories from the past and

creates disturbing comparisons to today..

by

Art MacKay

Like many folks in Canada and the United States, I grew up in a small town. Mine was locatedon the Maine-New Brunswick border. Actually there were 4 small towns all clustered aroundthe International Bridge ... St. Stephen and Milltown, NB in Canada and Calais and Milltown,Maine in the USA. Each of these towns had their downtown ... a "main" street along the St.

Croix River where shops, businesses and services of all kinds clustered together and whereeveryone in town and the surrounding rural areas came to shop, visit the barber, buy their gro-ceries, get their vehicles xed, acquire their livestock feed, purchase Christmas presents andmore ... everything the modern household in 1948 could possibly want. And almost all of theseestablishments were owned by local families. It was a busy and exciting place to grow up. Ser-

vices were within walking distance everywhere.


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Mind you, the downtown was a remnant from another era when 40 odd wharves served the burgeon-

ing forest industry that supplied the world with lumber. I remember the last of those many wharves

some of which are still represented today by the imprints in the mud made by their support timbers

and ballast rocks. Today all of the waterfront has been lled to provide parking and only one wharf ...

the so-called public wharf ... remains. But even in my day, ships still came in to the fertilizer wharf

and other remaining wharves along the shore, kids dove into the river off the International Bridge,

shermen tended their eel traps and occasionally even cast their nets for herring that came up river

into The Cove. Alewife shermen were everywhere and pollution had not yet destroyed all of the

clam beds.

That has all changed. Today no one swims in the river, there are no shermen, the river remains pol-luted and the downtown of St. Stephen, my hometown, is virtually empty of local retail establishments.

The stores are either empty or occupied by lawyers, customs companies, insurance companies and

other service industries, mostly from away as they say locally. And it is certainly not exciting! All of

the groceries and vital supplies now come from the big-box stores on the outskirts of town. We shop

there of course, since all of the corner stores, butchers and grocery stores are closed. If we are lucky

we may get to see the armored car roll in and truck our money away to God-only-knows where. And

no one comes to town on Friday night to irt back and forth during the weekly downtown promenade

or crowd into a booth at the Tally Ho or go to the Queen Theatre and cuddle with your date.

The other day I was sorting through some old les and chanced upon a Girl

Guide recipe book that was produced in 1948 as a fund-raiser. It sold for 50cents and was also supported by the advertising purchased by local busi-

nesses. Just for fun, I ipped through and read the ads. Most were family es -

tablishment that I remember. I put a digital X through those that are gone and

discovered that most have been closed. The few that were left included a drug

store, the local candy factory, the remnants of a sh processing plant that is

teetering on the edge and a funeral home where we can still arrange our burial.

Oh yes one of the real estate companies is still there and an insurance com-

pany that can work with you to make certain that you have sufcient funds to

get buried.

Of course there are still many companies around these towns, but they tend now to be franchises and

service companies and the economies are microcosms of the national malaise in Canada and the US.

Very few are locally owned and most citizens either work for the governments or at low wage jobs at

the candy factory and a few other industrial operations. But its certainly not like it was. I wonder when

we will recapture of the spirit of community that once made these towns a great place to grow up?

Thats how I see it tonight.

#30


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About Art MacKay

Forced to choose between his interest in art and natural history, Art chose the latter for his university studies

and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, N.B.

Canada in 1961 and carried out graduate studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec for 3 years.

He taught at McGill University, the University of Victoria, and the University of New Brunswick before establish-

ing a biological supply and consulting business on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick in 1964. His work has

included the collection and supply of living marine organisms for schools, universities and research establish-

ments around the world.

His consulting activities have been broad and range from the primary development of marine inventories fromNewfoundland to Maine, environmental monitoring and mitigation for nuclear power plants, oil reneries, gas

pipelines and other industrial developments. He is credited with establishing the rst successful commercial

Atlantic salmon sea farms in New Brunswick and Maine. His professional work has taken him to the United

States, Canada, Norway, Thailand and India.

Art has an extensive background in publishing, printing, graphic design and display construction. He has sold

numerous paintings and illustrations and has had several shows of his works.

This article contains approximately650words. Contents and images are Art MacKay 2012 and one-timerights may be purchased by publishers. Additional information and images can be provided on request. Email

art @ bayoffundy.ca.


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R. R. ST1NSONG r o c ~ r i e s . Meats. Confectionery. . -..,

.rr, A:'>DHE"'S, N. B.

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ANDREWS-BY THE-SEA

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on!-S'. ' jona'Y' Cam. . . . . ODd f - ..... To;letrieo_ TRY THE REXAU. STORE_

TH E WHEN U l tUG S"f 'ORP:n ...'D. . . . ., ~ ..


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CLOTIIING aM FOO'n'l'EAK.'or no. 1f'hoIe FnT-

up"d.]ly 8.1 . . \00 .'Ot YOUBOYD BROS, X

O YOU . t .Aw.l""me to in,po;ct our 8 t c ~ wh". you >\'Iii fi1l(l t i l .mo.t di rsifial and ir.t"'".tinlC K"'"P of Mon:h&ndilooin Now Brun.wick.

Stapley' . Radio alld Appliance ShopSet.joe alOd Ropoln 10 Radiol and Eleel,I1 ApPUln"",_D. . .ua . -_

1I..1:.,. ........ _c


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I F. D. SPINNEY- ..., . .". " - x

STOVES - RADIOS WASHERSFURNITURE AND BEDDING

PAINT AND WALL PAPERSAINT G E O R G ~ N./e.

TO C O M P ~ YOUl! TA l I " ' _Intern\tioDal Sterling FlatwareCOMMUNITY PLATE x

' ' ' ~ ROCI:JI5 uos.. . . . . . . _._ . . . . __ e -w - .

--- .. l : : " " - - Fine En


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We COTd.lally 1m'ile You 10 Visit

THE C O O K I ~ G GUIDE

ST. ANORt.""WS. N. 8.

ST. ANDREWS. N. B.

ST. ANDREWS. N. B.

- C O ~ L l M E N T S OF-

English Golf Jackets and HosieryAgent for Tip-Top TailonSport Jackets and Raincoats

H. O'NEILL

E. B. ST INSON . . .1Made-ta-Measure and Ready-to-Wear CLOTHING

From Enrlisb, Scotch and Irish ClothsGent's Furnishings - Hats and Caps - Wool Togs

EnClisb Auto Hurl. _lIudion Bay Blankets - LU\su and Jaerer SweatersGoU' Hose :lond SQ(lks - Kaysl!r 1I05e

EST. OF V. B. COLLINS ST ANDREWS N B

THE JAEGER WOOL SHOP

Cockburn's Corner Drug Store _ #ESTABLISHED 1876 TSeventy.Two Yean of Service

PHONE 2.50

PHONE 266

EST. 1823

JACK and .TILL STORE' Ib is s to re Is open upeelally 1.0 .upply thl! J)ll,blic with much wanted Goods for. Tols and Teens _ Special Lines are in slock for Ladies

Our C.O.D. Sen'lce is at the dlspos"l or the "Islanders"I ~ Phone or Write l.o Us. then your o r d ~ r will b ~ : u c u t ~ d at onceAa"er.l tor Brltlsb Knit _ Some Wool lrl, and Yard Good;\i on Ibe Way

WATER STREET TELEPHONE 237 ST. AN"I)RI::WS. S. B._ AT YOUR SERVICE

CAPT. ""d MRS. W. J. CHEEK X"


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THE COOKING GUIDE

COMPLIMENTS OF

Jas. S. Neill & Sons, Ltd.Fredericton's Big Hardware Store \ ,

SPORTING GOODS-Fishing and Hunting Equipment of All Kind.Owners and Operators of Radio Station

C. F. N. B.Lad ies -F or a Tasty Dessert

-TRY-

Brl1l and Graham Cracker and Apple Pudding,

IIII

Put layer ot chopped apples in the bottomof a baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and adddash or two of nutmeg. Add generous layerrolled Graham and Bra:l Crackers, Place dotsof butter on top. Add layer of chopped app1es,sugar, nutmeg. Then layer of Graham andBran cfllckers dotted with butter on top. Placein slow oven lind bake unt il apples are tender.Serve with Vanilla Sauce or Cream.BAKED BY

MONCTON, N. B.

28

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....,I'l! I J ~ V I l f < " " ~

It


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( - - .I J J . - T H ~ C O O K ; ~ G GUtOE '.I I, C o " ~ l 1 " " r N n or XI I ~ ' 1 A L L O R Y Bnos. '"ST, STEPHF.N, N. B. .... H ~ T l ' U ( ]'UCF. 1'0 snop National Supcr Markcl PIIONE ~ J PHONE $ ]7I , W.ICc s".,t, 51, Stephen, N. 8.

Ir".',. G , u < " ~ , , F,,,' "S ~ " " ' < d / I \ " ' ~ f ,uh . " FrQ"" fi,' '",h )'",", , ,>] \ ' ,!"m" _ Cif"""" To"'-"" _ ( " " d ~ , >oJ. ",,,"to;, _ [J,cl' _ ' " ~ k , , X_ FREF. OUJVERY_

,C o m p l t u ~ \ > 01II A FRIEND.

]. Clark & Son, LId. ,I" . . S",p1."", 1'.. fl. X.. Home FurnishingsQuality Furniture at Low C o ~ t

' \ ~ ' .ild ACCESSORIES I.WitJ, tl1c Now Look XAT __ TI- IE H A T BOX, ~ \ ~ ,


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H. K. BONNELLMEATS AND GROCERIES )(

FRUITS, ETC.

The Harvey StudiosEx""l in ~ u a l i t y )(

Branches Throughout th" Province

) (. . ."" nO&Gr. ....AJ ' . . . . ~

PHOTOGRAPHS_IY_

MAE V. MATTHEWSMILL INERY

LJll)JF,s' and CHILDREN'S WEAR

_ TWO STORES_ROSS-DRUG-UNITEO

...............-. ~ p ..-. - .. - ... _ -- ..- '''',uO'''O'')'.' So ...' " oroOGO.o n ~ G ' ,TIl,'"I lON. . . . .

ROSS-DRUG-UNITEOTIlE RF.XAI.L STORES


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AlL 'I'llI'; LATEST BOOKS atWALL'S BOOKSTOREST. ~ T D ' H ~ N

MARCJ.!IT L JOHNSON, p, .....) (

OOMI'LlHNTS 0F

:\1""""., .w I U"ooln s . . b and S"...k"St. , . . , ....n. N


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,,

C O ~ ~ ' . ' - ~ ' , ' T S U.. " M OUT-LET-STORE X

I ST. STEI'IlEIlC O " , e L l O \ ~ h l S Ofera", ford's Drug Store

XH.5lU ' l lE"n t I;; !JEST CQOKS_ 1J5E_

OI l ILYIE FI .OOR XHILL BROTHERS(OCMellMHTS OFTally 110 Tea Room XT, SlLI'HEN ,

-. LA - W ! , - \ 0 ; O Y M O T O n : ~ . LTD., _.....H"". ...DOAUU Q . _

Pontiac - Bukk - C " " ; ~ ' R ~ t M . C . Truck>I),M. ~ ' ' ' ; g ; d " , r e , Hang"" XPatti! and A""....,ri . . Phone 401\1 ,Tbe UeWolfe HlIrdwllre (:0., Llli.QUALITY HARDWARE XNOBUILDI;RS SUPPLIES....,nu_, ". . c , . . . . ~ ""- - I"Flower.; Fl)' Wk." The Mo,,,Ul')' WayS, 0, MEHAN & SONS

nOllISTS . . MO." _ "'-" 'T , . , . . . ~ . _ . N...


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THE COOKING GUIDE

Packed from uniformf r e ~ h fish slightly smoked.

These Products of

Packed by

The World's Leading Brand ofsardines packed from fresh fiahfrom the cold waters of the NorthAtlantic.

"Connors' Famous Sea Foods"are returning to your Grocer's shelves to meet your snackand sandwich spread requirements.

Connors Bros./ LimitedBlack's Harbour, N. B.

40


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OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY

BRUNSWICK BRANDChicken and Finnan Haddies

P"p...d hom choice young IIHaddies. E:lCcellent for an eveningmeal.

Prepared from matureslightly smoked.

~

IHaddies I .i

Try This Favorite RecipeCREAMED CHICKEN HADDIE

Add" an equal. amount of white sauce to one can of BrUJl5wickChit ken Haddie and place in buttered baking dish. Slice one hardboiled.egg ~ v e r the top and sprinkle with buttered crumbs. Bake in Hot oven "ntil crumbs are bTowned. '",

l_ Connors Bros., LimitedBlack's Harbour, N. B.41

I I


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THE COOKING GUIDE

C O M P L l M E ~ T S OF

J. W. SAMPSON'S-II

XlWATER STREET Texaco Service Station ST. STEPUEN. N. B.

Exclusive AgentLadies' Butterfly Smart Side HOSE

McBRIDE'S CLOTHING STORECLARK'S DRUG STORE X

PHONE 34 KIRK HILL CORNERST. STEPHEN. N. B.

JOHNSTON & JOHNSTONPrescription Druggists

_ ALSO -Souvenirs, Novelties and Gifts For All Occasions

THE ROSE STOREGroceries !\Jeat - l'eed - Clofhing .- FoolwearST. STEPHEN, N. B. PHONE 538539

Clifford W. HanleyMEATS and GROCERIES

ST. STEPuEN, N. B.ING STREETPRONE &9

CLARK'S GROCETERIAGROCERIES - MEATS

Flour - Feed - Fruit - Confectionery.I ':.BOSE U i KING STREET ST. STEPlH-;N, N. B.

..


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H,

I

THE COOKING GUIDE

Quoddy Coal Co./ Ltd.E. S. FINIGAN, Manager

DEALERS IN COAL and COKEPHONE 351

SAINT ANDREWS, N. B.

JONES-SCHOFIELD-HATHEWAY. LTD.Head Office, Saint John, N. B., Canada

IMPORTERS, EXPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS, CANNERS AN'ODISTRIBUTORS OF FOOD PRODUCTS

Members of Assoe, of Food Distributors of New York

THE CHINA CHESTSAINT ANDREWS, NEW BRUNSWICK

IMPORTERS AND DIRECT AGENTS FOR FINE ENGLISHCHINA DINNERWARE AND GIFT ITEMS

- MAIL ORDERS SOLICITED-

GUY R. DAY & SON, General Insurance - Real EstateM o r t g a ~ e Loans - Bonds

Property and Estate Management- TRAVEL AGENTS-

... ST. STEPHEN, N. B.48


19/25

SiJlt, YtaU Df Bulklill' &rvioe~ III

ST STEPH",'i, ;; n,Bool !J1 g.,,,,,d Piolur. .

DIlILl .....nNLE ' , .... _ Evt;NIN';'" 7.'

QUEEN THEATRE

n . ...rn " 10_ 0 . ..1 '" _

)( FORD and MONARCH LU.sFORD TRUCKS 'm! TRAITORS

FARM MACHINERYImpMUJ Oil P l - o d l J O ~ ' Goodrich and All.. Tiros

FRASER MOTORS

Haley Lumber Company, Ltd..)(

..,..,..

x

Wocdcock's Trucking and TaXi Service


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," ," , C O ( J ~ I ~ G ,,'.I;ll'- - - - - -t GANONG'S

GBI CHOCOLATES

lh" Fmesl in th" [ . . , n d ~

uro""".,.".,......... ,.. ... U " . , , " ~


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THE COOKING GUIDE

The Finest in Men's Wear STETSON HICKOK FORSYTH

JAEGER WOLSEY XC. A. O'BRIEN & SON

ST. STEPHEN

COMPLIMENTS OF THE

ST.GEORCE

Nu-Style Ladies' WearWater Street. St. Stephen. N. B. X

COMPLIMENTS OF XGarcelon Stamp Co.WEDGWOOD SPODE

LUGGAGE Imported Irish LinensALL WOOL BLANKETSBendix AutomAtic Home LaundriesBuchanan Bros.

EVERYTHINC FOR THE HOME


22/25

THE COOKING GUIDE

LOBSTERS---l

Conley's Lobsters Ltd.St. Andrews, N. B.

CanadaOwners and operators of the

World's Largest Lobster PoundI" Specia liz ing in Lh'e Lobsters and fresh Lobster meal

shipments to clubs, hotels and restaurants toI all parts o f the Lllilerl Slales! No Customs Charges Whatever

We would be pleased Lo send in fo rmation upon request

Price List Sent Weekly If Desired-Shipments Made Every Day ,n the Year-.

.., ..

64


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THE COOKING GUIDE

COMPLIMENTS OFNASON & YARDLEY

High Class Groceries and MeatsWATER ST., ST. STEPHEN

THE QUEEN HOTEL XRooms with Private Bath - Rooms with Running WaterTHE BEST PLACE TO EAT

CAMPBELL 'SWOOLENS BLANKETS LINENSSIMPLICITY PATTERNS SWINGS

W1\TER STREET P B O ~ ' E ZI9 ST. STErHEN, N. B.

WRY'S.- - .CONFECTIONERY - LUNCHES

WATER STREET ST. STEPHENCOMPLIMENTS OF

F. B. DOUGLAS XST. STEPHEN, N. B.COMPLIMENTS OF

F. THOH.N'I 'ON X,_ , GROCERIES FEED FRUIT.\ ST. STEPHEN, N. B.

>St. Croix Valley BrandBrick Oven Steamed Baked Beans

Brown Bread68

....


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.WI1l 'Ll I / t :Nr' OF UOGERS' I j , f K E J ~ " X..... lOA'"'"'......... _

Hu. . . . ' . 'I

SlImmerll E'erliUzer Cu., file. )(n. 3T1PIlO


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looking back - the death of a downtown

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