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I Remember When….
In preparation for the publication of this heritage review of Westville, the Grade 12 English students interviewed numerous senior citizens of Westville to glean from their recollections memories of Westville’s past. Many things that were recalled are noted elsewhere throughout the book; however, here are some highlights of some of their treasures:
Skating has always been a popular sport in Westville due to long winters. Some of the most popular skating spots were the Diamond Pond, the Acadia Pond, the Saw Mill Pond on Union Street, where the mill owned by Pat Doyle was located.
There was formally no real road where Spring Garden is now located; consequently, this became a popular spot for tobogganing. At the top of the street there was a brook which in the fall would be very full and would overflow the surrounding area. In the winter, this provided an extra run for sleighs.
In the 1930’s, one could see a movie for 5 cents; this was referred to as the nickelette.
During the summer months, the ice man, Willard Cameron, was a popular figure in the town. He would arrive by horse and wagon selling blocks of ice to eager children for about 10 cents a block. He often bestowed small pieces of ice to eager children who followed him from street to street, hoping for a cool remembrance of winter.
In front of Michael Muir’s Feed Store on Main Street, there was a water trough for horses. The trough was a circular receptacle of concrete, approximately six feet in diameter and three feet high.
An important event in the town was the Sunday School Picnic. Families would pack large baskets and board a train destined for Brown’s Point or Pictou Landing. Races would be held, games played, and a great time was held by all.