1961 - 1967
On January 28, 1961, a number of the
married couples from the Eureka-Hopewell United Church pastoral
charge organized a “Couples Club” its objective to promote good
fellowship among the members and to stimulate interest in Church
devotions. The first Presidents: Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Evans;
Secretary, Mrs. George Wallace; Treasurer, Mrs. Arnold MacLeod. The
Club was to be strictly a non-money making organization.
James Harlan MacLean, a devoted member and choir leader of Zion
Presbyterian Church for many years, one of the outstanding vocalists
in the County, and a prominent Mason, died in Aberdeen Hospital on
December 10, 1960. He was born in Hopewell in the year 1885, one of
a family of 8 children, 5 girls and 3 boys, a son of the late Jardin
MacLean. He was an employee at the Stellarton Roundhouse from 1907
to the end of the year 1945. He married Frances MacMillan and they
had 3 children. Mr. And Mrs. MacLean were only a year or two short
of their 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Mrs. R. H. Ward, of Eureka, died in August, 1961, aged 80 years. Her
maiden name was Fanny Snelgrove, she was born in Norton-Bavant,
England, one of a family of 16 children of Stephen and Elizabeth
Snelgrove. Mr. and Mrs. Ward were married in Halifax. They had a
family of seven children. They celebrated their Golden Wedding
Anniversary on July 27, 1942. Mr. Ward died on May 1, 1948. They
were both devoted members of Wesley United Church.
1962
On May 29, 1962, the Eureka C.N.R. Platform caught fire from some
undetermined cause and was badly burned. It was not repaired or
replaced. The platform had been originally built in 1885, for the
accommodation of the Eureka Woolen Mills.
In September, 1962, extensive repairs were carried out on Zion
Presbyterian Church.
1963
A large congregation from all parts of Pictou County was present at
Zion Presbyterian Church, on June 9, 1963, when a beautiful stained
glass window was dedicated to the glory and praise of Almighty God
in loving memory of James Harlan MacLean. Presentation was by his
widow and family.
On November 9, 1963, W. Ross MacLean, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alver
MacLean, of Eureka, married Elizabeth Anne Thompson, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. J. W. Thompson, of Montreal.
1964
Leslie Scott, well-known carpenter, cabinet maker and teacher, died
in Aberdeen Hospital, on April 12, 1964. He was born in Eureka, on
August 30, 1900, a son of Mr. And Mrs. Charles Scott. He taught
manual training in Westville, Stellarton and at the North Sydney
Veterans’ Training Centre after the Second World War. He was an
adherent of Wesley United Church. A Member of the Municipal School
Board and Secretary of the Eureka Fire Department at the time of his
death.
Mrs. George Tedford died in April, 1964, she had lived in Eureka for
a number of years. Her maiden name was Margarge MacKinnon, and she
was a native of Hebron, Yarmouth County. She married George Tedford,
also a native of Hebron, in September, 1893. They had six children.
For some years they lived in Truro and Stellarton. They celebrated
their Golden Wedding Anniversary in September, 1943. Mr. Tedford
died on October 29, 1947.
1965
On February 10, 1965, work was started at Eureka for the erection of
a New Post Office Building, it was expected to be completed in May,
1965. The Postmaster was Earl M. Fraser. When completed the Post
Office presented a very attractive addition to the village. Briefly
the history of the Eureka Post Office is as follows: A Post Office
was established in Eureka in 1884, it was first located in the Mill
House, used as an office by the Eureka Woolen Mills, and the first
Postmaster was Mr. Hugh Grant. In 1890, the Post Office was moved up
to the store erected by Mr. D. M. Grant, with Mr. Hugh Grant
continuing as Postmaster. When Mr. Hugh Grant retired the Office was
taken over by his son, Mr. D. M. Grant, who operated it until he
retired about 1945. J. W. A. Dunbar succeeded Mr. Grant, as
Postmaster, and in 1946, he erected a building to the west of the
store to be used as a Post Office. On May 22, 1959, this building
suffered damage by fire, with the loss of some of the mail. Mr. J.
W. A. Dunbar retired in 1962 and was succeeded by the present
Postmaster, Mr. Earl M. Fraser.
Allan Rankin, died in his 92nd year, at the Aberdeen Hospital, on
June 9, 1965. He was born at Gays River, Colchester County, on
October 15, 1873, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Rankin. He married
Mabel Winters, of Mushaboom, Halifax County. They moved to Eureka in
1912. They had six children. Mrs. Rankin died on September 16, 1938.
Allan Rankin retired from the Eastern Car Plant, in October 1947.
The Eureka Fire Department was organized in 1949. A Model A. Ford
was purchased and converted for use, by equipping it with a pump and
tank. A short time later a building was erected to house the
equipment. With mounting interest in the Department and a need for
better equipment developing, the Model A. was replaced with a larger
truck. In May, 1962, J.W.A. Dunbar presented the Department with the
deed of the land on which the fire hall was located. In December,
1964, the Department of Public Works wished to purchase this
property for the erection of a New Post Office, this transaction was
arranged; and the Department negotiated with Whitfield Gillespie for
the purchase of the property of his late mother. The property was
acquired and alterations made. On October 9, 1965, the New Fire Hall
was officially opened. Visitors were taken on a tour through the
building, which had been completely renovated to meet the needs of
the department. The Department consisted of 20 men, with Arthur Ward
as fire chief. It has become well established in the Community.
Necessary funds for their needs have been raised by various methods,
and the Department has contributed somewhat to the social life of
the village as well as its protection. For the past number of years
they have erected and decorated a large Christmas tree and arranged
with Santa Claus to make a visit at Christmastime, to greet and
bring a treat to the children.
In October, 1965, the First Eureka Boy Scout Troop was reorganized,
(Oct. 29, 1965), with the Eureka Fire Department in the role of
sponsor. The new Scout Master, Earle Fraser, with Raymond Bezanson
Jr., and Kenneth Ward as assistants. The committee for the Scout
Troop were Fred Falconer, chairman; Raymond Holley, Charles Ross,
Alvin Rankin and Arthur Ward. The troop was made up of boys from
both Eureka and Hopewell. Their meetings were to be held in lower
part of the Legion Hall.
On December 5, 1965, William Stetson MacLean, of Island, E. R., died
in the Aberdeen Hospital. He was born at the Island in 1890, a son
of Andrew and Marion (Grant) MacLean. He married Catherine Fraser of
Lorne. They had four children. He was a member of a number of
organizations and boards. He represented District No. 17, in the
Municipal Council for many years, having first become a member of it
in 1934. He was elected County Warden in January, 1965. He was an
elder of Zion Presbyterian Church, and clerk of session since 1956.
1966
On February 25, 1966, there passed away a former resident of the
Island, E. R., at the MacLaughlin Nursing Home, Coalburn, in the
person of Miss Catherine Urquhart, she was in her 89th year and was
born at the Island, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Urquhart, in
the year 1877. Her father, also was born at the Island, in the year
1831. He died in June, 1919, at the age of 88 years. His father
before him came from Scotland away back in the early days, settled
and made his home at the Island after his voyage across the
Atlantic, so he would be numbered among the pioneer settlers on the
outskirts of the village now known as Eureka. His farm was that more
recently known as the Joe Saunder’s Farm. A Nephew of Andrew
Urquhart, Carl Urquhart, died in Vancouver on August 14, 1965.
On July 18, 1966, Edwin H. Were died at his home, aged 79 years. He
was born in London, England, in 1887, came to Canada in 1904,
married Edith Marshall, in Montreal, on September 10, 1910. Mrs.
Were was born in Nottingham, England, and came to Canada in 1907.
They came to Pictou County in 1915, and to Eureka in 1917. They had
three children. Mr. Were was foreman painter at the Eastern Car
Company for 42 years. He retired on July 31, 1957. Mr. and Mrs. Were
celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on September 10, 1960.
In May, 1962, they returned to England for a six-week visit. They
were both members of Wesley United Church.
The Eureka Garden Club was organized partly as a social club, but
particularly for those interested in horticulture. It is a
comparatively recent Club but has been in progress for quite a few
years, during that time they have had a number of talks and
considerable advice on gardening by horticultural experts from the
Agricultural College at Truro. They have banded together with
similar clubs throughout the County, and are in contact with the
various organizations in the Province. They have met socially on a
number occasions, had talks, discussed their experiences and
experiments, and have competed in quizzes. The knowledge and skill
they have acquired has been displayed in a practical way by the
holding of flower shows and the beauty seen in the gardens of the
members during the summer months. This Club has become a permanent
fixture in the village of Eureka. On August 24, 1966, their fourth
flower and vegetable show was held in the Eureka school with many
attractive exhibits and displays.
1967
The first marriage by a resident of the village, in Canada’s
Centennial Year, occurred on January 13, 1967, when Danny Little, of
Eureka, married Audrey MacLeod of New Glasgow. On February 23, 1967,
a shower was held to welcome Mrs. Little to the Community and to
present her with gifts.
A current problem that has been troubling Eureka for sometime is the
establishing of a garbage disposal dump, it has also been a matter
of consideration by the residents of Hopewell. On January 28, 1967,
a ratepayers meeting was called for the two villages, to discuss the
situation, and possibly arrange financing, by assessment or other
wise.
At the January meeting of the Home and School Association it was
decided to proceed with the writing of the History of Eureka.
February 28, 1967 Edwin T. Bliss
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