1

A visit to Pelee Island, June 3rd, 1897
3 June 1887
Pelee Island, Ontario

A visit to Pelee Island, June 3, 1897

"As there is no daily mail a visitor to the place feels that he is out of touch with the great busy of the world. But the islanders are a sociable people and the fact that a newspaper is not procurable until some days after publication is not a matter of much concern to them. [When] you meet a man on the road, he's not in so great a hurry that he cannot stop to talk to you. [When] you ask at a house for a glass of water, you're invited in to rest and the chances are that you'll be invited to drink wine with all the friendliness of the fabled lotus-eaters...'Sweet is the old wine in bottles', sang Byron. And the lover's poet never had better nor more wholesome wine to sing about than that made on the Isle of Pelee. It is a product that the islanders are proud of and with reason"

Credits:
Unidentified paper, Landon collection, University of Western, Ontario

2

North Pump Canal
Circa 1900
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

3

The Community

The grape farmers and their families made a significant contribution to the development of life on Pelee Island. As well as the stimulus to Pelee's economy, these families contributed and shaped the cultural and social life of the island. The Smith's were no exception. Thaddeus served as councillor of the Township of Pelee as well as auditor. His lifelong interest in apiculture led him to write articles on the subject and introduce plants to the island for his bees, namely chicory and sweet clover. He participated in the efforts to bring a doctor to the island and served as a member of the Board of Health until 1890. By 1889 Thaddeus was appointed Notary Public.

For Thaddeus and his wife Adelia, the education of the island's children was one of their many contributions to the social development of Pelee's citizens. Before a school system was in place Adelia tutored children from their home while Thaddeus worked on the establishment of a public school. After the establishment of said school system he served as secretary to the school board for many years. Fellow wine maker John Finlay also took an interest in Peele's schools and joined Thaddeus on the school board as a trustee. As well, J.S Hamilton gave prizes to those who attended school most regularly. Social events were held in island homes to raise money for schools and churches.

4

Smith, Adelia Miles
Circa 1881
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

5

Smith, Bertha
Circa 1885
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

6

Smith, Minnie Bird
Circa 1885
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

7

Old Middle School
1904
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

8

Old North End School
1889
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

9

Old South End Schoo
1889
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

10

During the 1880's James Srigley was known to host socials to raise funds for the debt incurred after the building of the first Methodist church in 1882. In 1888 Srigley was also behind the circulation of various petitions presented to Parliament for the request of a sub-marine cable between Pelee and the mainland.

11

Old South End Methodist Church
1885
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

12

St. Mary's Church of England
1869
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum

13

The grape growers of the time had varied interests and this was reflected in the scope of the investments made in the community. John Finlay had an interest in horse breeding and in pursuit of this made an improvement in the quality of breeding horses on the island. Mr. Finlay and Mr. Rehberg also had farming interests. Both were on the Board of Directors for the island's first Agricultural Society.

14

Fishermen
Circa 1880
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Pelee Island Heritage Museum