Centre Acadien, Université Sainte-Anne

Sawmills - When the first Acadians arrived in Clare, they realized that the terrain was not well-suited to agriculture. In contrast, the forests were highly favourable for wood harvesting. At the time of Confederation, the forest industry was the region’s main economic driver.

Jean Comeau built Clare’s first sawmill, and erected it on the Comeau Brook between Saulnierville and Comeauville. By the early 1800s, there were enough sawmills to supply the lumber needed for local construction (domestic and shipbuilding) and to barter with local merchants in exchange for family provisions. By 1850, the first round saws were in use, improving working conditions and productivity. The number of family-owned sawmills increased dramatically, and by 1864, Clare was home to 45 of them. Local sawmills would sometimes export to the West Indies, the US Eastern Seaboard and even Europe.

In 1879, the railway linking Yarmouth and Digby was completed. Anglophones from outside of the region purchased land from Acadians and set up their sawmills and shops near the railways. In 1880, one of these companies, Yarmouth’s Parker-Eakins Company Ltd., purchased a sawmill and land in Bangor from Captain Timothy Boudreau. This is a photo of the Raymond sawmill in Meteghan Station. It was named after Norm Raymond, the first manager employed by the Parker-Eakins Company to oversee its commercial activities in Bangor.

From 1920 to 1940, West Indian and European markets collapsed and the boatbuilding industry ground to a halt. During this period, many foreign companies ceased operations.

With the onset of World War II, timber demand for shipbuilding and building construction sharply increased. Acadian families repurchased land from English-speaking owners, and local sawmills could meet the demand for lumber.

Today, in 2017, a few small family-owned sawmills in Clare continue to supply lumber for the local market.

Topic: Commercial Enterprises and other livelihoods

Date: [ca. 1905]

Reference: Collection Harold Robichaud Centre Acadien Series B, photo 6

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