Formal Recognition Type

Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program

Notes

This building began its existence as a general store and office for Thomas (Tom) Power of Calvert on Newfoundland’s Southern Shore some time in the 1920s. Power operated a schooner to a from St. John’s, freighting supplies for the locals and for his store stock. He also bought and sold salt fish all over the Avalon Peninsula. The building also provided office space for Power’s cod liver oil factory, which was located adjacent to it. The general store operated until the 1950s, around which time roads to St. John’s improved and more of the Calvert area residents could travel to the city to buy much of the groceries, dry goods and fishing supplies, etc. that Power’s store carried. After the store closure, Power used the building to store salt fish and other items, and to mend gear. The building was also used for Calvert’s community fair in the 1950s to 1970s, hosting twine-knitting, bait and hook, and fish-splitting contests. In 2007 the building was in hard shape and in danger of demolition. Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program funding helped save and stabilize it.

Community

Calvert

Municipality

Not specified (Newfoundland)

Civic Address

Northside Road

Construction (circa)

1920 - 1920

Builder

Thomas Power