Edward Payne Store
Located in the historic fishing village in Parsons Pond are two fishing stages that have been recently restored under the Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program and by the town. “The restorations of these two properties are substantial milestones along the road to preserving and celebrating the entire village of fishing properties and other common structures”, said Joan Parsons, lead contact for the project. Amongst the first to be restored were the Edward Payne Store and the Sandy Payne Store.
Parsons also said, “These two fish stores and the adjacent stores are all part of a larger community development process…and…the Town Council of Parsons Pond intends to develop the entire waterfront area.” With this commitment in place restoration commenced on the two stores.
The Edward Payne Store, known locally as Randy’s Fish Store, was constructed in 1961 by Edward Payne and his sons Carl and Sam. It is the tallest store in the area, built on stilts and made of local materials. The store’s design is typical: rectangular in shape with a mid-pitch gable roof, wide plank doors and unadorned exterior. In 2001 the store was purchased by Randy Parsons, a local fisherman who uses it for fisheries purposes.
The store was in need of minor repairs, requiring foundation work and paint and they hoped to replace a flake and a wharf that had deteriorated. The restoration was easy to do, “Edward Payne’s fish store was in good condition it just had to be painted.” The results, however, made a significant impact on the Traditional Fishing Village, revealing a colorful and unique beauty on the shoreline.
The work has not gone unnoticed by the community as the activity stirred up memories for many fishermen of past times. The restorations brought about many discussions among the fishermen, among which are future plans for more preservation efforts along this historic fishing village by the town and its residents.
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Fishing Village Project
Parsons Pond has a large cluster of fisheries buildings nestled around a river emptying into the harbour. These structures have been well maintained over the years and are a well recognized feature of the community's built landscape. The area has always been a gathering place in Parsons Pond, as fishermen and other community residents congregate here to discuss daily events and recall past times. The fishery has always been an important part of the community's heritage, a reality reflected in the pride owners take in maintaining the fisheries structures.
The Town of Parsons Pond applied to the Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program to help owners with upkeep. Because the properties were in good structural condition, the project focussed on painting some of the properties as a component of a larger revitalization of the fishing area along the shores of the community.
Visually, the results of the restoration are easy to recognize. But the true value of the project is best expressed by town clerk Joan Parsons.
"I have enjoyed the discussions I've had with the fishermen," says Parsons. "It certainly brought me back in time and my respect for the fishermen and fishing industry in days gone by was brought to another level. It was a pleasure to sit and listen to their stories as we were preparing this proposal and I sensed that the seniors were impressed that we would even be interested in preserving this part of our heritage."
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Sandy Payne Store
Sandy Payne Store is known locally as Earl’s Fish Store. Constructed in 1965 by Alexander Payne it was erected the same year the road was established through the community. Payne was a fisherman who spent his entire career working from this town, fishing lobster and cod and providing his services as a local guide for hunters. He also cut his own wood in the forested area nearby, using some of it for the construction of his fish store. Payne and his family continued to use the store until 1982 when he sold it to Earl Keough. Today Keough’s son uses the store for his fishing enterprise.
At the time of the project Sandy Payne Store was in dire need of repairs. Joan Parsons said of the work undertaken,
Sandy’s Fish Store was in poor condition. It was practically torn apart. Some of the foundation had to be replaced as well as inch board on the floor. The roof structure had to be stabilized using most of the original wood and shingled, and the vast majority of siding had to be replaced and painted. The window and door were also replaced but were duplicated to resemble the originals
As well, the entire structure required paint. The town hoped to replace the flake and wharf around the same time.
This preservation project has highlighted the need in areas such as Parsons Pond to take notice of existing heritage structures. This is made more powerful because Newfoundland’s traditional fisheries sites in many other coastal communities are disappearing at a rapid pace. The restoration of Sandy Payne Store adds tremendous value to the community, and in particular to the historic fishing village area. With trails, interpretation panels and newly restored fisheries buildings this village has taken great strides to preserve, protect and promote their proud history.
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