Buses, trucks and cars on Town Square in the early 1950s. Photo courtesy of Sonia Neary Harvey.
Motorized Vehicles
When Harold Kitchen moved to Bell Island with his family in 1922, there were only three motor cars on Bell Island and no trucks. September 1924 was the first time motor cars on Bell Island were mentioned in the media when four men were named in The Daily News as being the owners of new cars: Dr. H.A. Giovannetti, James Flynn, Harold Harvey and Nicholas Fowler. The number of cars had risen to 23 by 1925. There were 30 cars by 1927, and 10 miles of road. Driving licenses were issued by Acting Sergeant Levi Shepherd. The driving test consisted of the successful completion of a figure 8. Ferries at that time were not fitted to carry cars. For a fee of $10 (about $145.00 in 2019 money), a car would be carried one way as freight.
Automobiles were such a rarity in 1928 that it was noted in a spring issue of the St. John's Daily News that there was a local Motor Association on Bell Island with elected officers, most of whom were local dignitaries. C.B. Archibald, the manager of Wabana Mines, was president; Angus MacDonald was vice-president; D.A. Fraser was treasurer; and John Cramm was secretary. There was a Road Management Committee consisting of P. Kent, T.F. Neary, J.B. Petrie, and Dr. H.A. Giovannetti.
Much dissatisfaction existed among the Island's 40 car owners over the fact that license fees were going to St. John's instead of being spent on local roads. It was also noted that Miss Annie Murphy was the first licensed woman driver on Bell Island. The first car from the local mainland to visit Bell Island came over in June 1928 and was driven by Sandy Morris, a salesman. At that time in Newfoundland, there were 1453 cars, 197 trucks and 65 cycles registered.
Probably the best known car on Bell Island was a 1927 Whippet owned by Edward (Ned) Kent of Lance Cove. He bought it for $1,200 in April 1928 from car dealer T.A. MacNab, Water Street, St. John's. Mr. Kent was still driving his Whippet in 1991 and had never had a breakdown in those 64 years. (See photo of mural below.)
In August 1929, 56 cars, 9 trucks and one motorcycle were registered on Bell Island.
In September 1930, the first stop signs were erected at intersections.
The first small car to make its appearance on the Island, a Baby Austin, arrived at the end of March 1931. It was owned by Dr. H.A. Giovannetti. Motor registrations from the Island that year showed a total of 69 cars, 16 trucks and one motor cycle. On April 1st, roads on Bell Island were placed for the first time under the direct supervision of the Highroads Commission by order of the Governor-in-Council. A few days later, R.H.K. Cochins, engineer in charge of the highroads, and J.A. Homer of the Department of Public Works visited the Island with J.M. Greene, MHA, to make arrangements for extensive repairs to 20 miles of roads.
In August 1937, Bell Island had 148 cars and trucks, 12 motor cycles and 150 bicycles.
Until 1947, motor vehicles in Newfoundland travelled on the left side of the road, as in England. According to the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland & Labrador, in its article on "Motor Vehicles,"
the switch to driving on the right was due to the presence of Canadian & American military vehicles in St. John's during WWII: "In 1942, in part to accommodate the military, vehicles began travelling on the right side of the road on parts of the Avalon Peninsula, and particularly in St. John's. Right-hand drive was adopted for the entire country [of Nfld] on January 2, 1947."
In 1954, there were 498 motor cars registered on Bell Island, an increase of 268 from 1951, when there were 230 cars registered. There were 261 trucks licenced, compared to 198 in 1951, so the total of cars and trucks had increased over three years by more than 50%.
Sources: Addison Bown, "Newspaper History of Bell Island," V. 2, 1928, p. 23; Submarine Miner, August 1954, p. 2; Harold Kitchen, personal interview, 1984; Edward Kent, personal interview, Oct. 11, 1991.
Automobiles were such a rarity in 1928 that it was noted in a spring issue of the St. John's Daily News that there was a local Motor Association on Bell Island with elected officers, most of whom were local dignitaries. C.B. Archibald, the manager of Wabana Mines, was president; Angus MacDonald was vice-president; D.A. Fraser was treasurer; and John Cramm was secretary. There was a Road Management Committee consisting of P. Kent, T.F. Neary, J.B. Petrie, and Dr. H.A. Giovannetti.
Much dissatisfaction existed among the Island's 40 car owners over the fact that license fees were going to St. John's instead of being spent on local roads. It was also noted that Miss Annie Murphy was the first licensed woman driver on Bell Island. The first car from the local mainland to visit Bell Island came over in June 1928 and was driven by Sandy Morris, a salesman. At that time in Newfoundland, there were 1453 cars, 197 trucks and 65 cycles registered.
Probably the best known car on Bell Island was a 1927 Whippet owned by Edward (Ned) Kent of Lance Cove. He bought it for $1,200 in April 1928 from car dealer T.A. MacNab, Water Street, St. John's. Mr. Kent was still driving his Whippet in 1991 and had never had a breakdown in those 64 years. (See photo of mural below.)
In August 1929, 56 cars, 9 trucks and one motorcycle were registered on Bell Island.
In September 1930, the first stop signs were erected at intersections.
The first small car to make its appearance on the Island, a Baby Austin, arrived at the end of March 1931. It was owned by Dr. H.A. Giovannetti. Motor registrations from the Island that year showed a total of 69 cars, 16 trucks and one motor cycle. On April 1st, roads on Bell Island were placed for the first time under the direct supervision of the Highroads Commission by order of the Governor-in-Council. A few days later, R.H.K. Cochins, engineer in charge of the highroads, and J.A. Homer of the Department of Public Works visited the Island with J.M. Greene, MHA, to make arrangements for extensive repairs to 20 miles of roads.
In August 1937, Bell Island had 148 cars and trucks, 12 motor cycles and 150 bicycles.
Until 1947, motor vehicles in Newfoundland travelled on the left side of the road, as in England. According to the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland & Labrador, in its article on "Motor Vehicles,"
the switch to driving on the right was due to the presence of Canadian & American military vehicles in St. John's during WWII: "In 1942, in part to accommodate the military, vehicles began travelling on the right side of the road on parts of the Avalon Peninsula, and particularly in St. John's. Right-hand drive was adopted for the entire country [of Nfld] on January 2, 1947."
In 1954, there were 498 motor cars registered on Bell Island, an increase of 268 from 1951, when there were 230 cars registered. There were 261 trucks licenced, compared to 198 in 1951, so the total of cars and trucks had increased over three years by more than 50%.
Sources: Addison Bown, "Newspaper History of Bell Island," V. 2, 1928, p. 23; Submarine Miner, August 1954, p. 2; Harold Kitchen, personal interview, 1984; Edward Kent, personal interview, Oct. 11, 1991.
The photo above is of the 1992 mural entitled "Town Square" located on the north wall of the Loyal Orange Lodge on Main Street. It shows the lower end of Town Square in 1961. Front and center in the mural is the 1927 Whippet with Ned Kent at the wheel. Below is a photo of the Whippet in the Kent garden, Lance Cove Road.
