Newfoundout

History

The Opeongo Road was probably the most well know failure of the government’s infamous road colonization plan. The government designed this cunningly crafted scheme to lure new immigrants into the province. The goal was primarily to clear the inhospitable and rocky lands for the lumber industry, as well as perform light farming to provide food for the lumber workers. The program was an easy sell, particularly in countries like Ireland, already devastated by the great potato famine. The Irish immigrants probably figured they had nothing left to lose.

The requirements seemed simple enough. In exchange for receiving title to 100 acres of land, the settlers had to build a house 18 X 20 feet in size, and cultivate at least 12 acres of land over a four-year period. Not mentioned were the true conditions of the soil. It was thin, rocky, acidic and completely unsuitable for any form of sustainable agriculture.

Although most early settlements sprang up along the road, road planners also included a means to access the backlands on each side of the road. Every 10 lots or so, they would open a road into the mountains and hills. It was on one of these side roads where the tiny settlement of Newfoundout got its start.

Newfoundout was never an actual village or community. The settlers accessed the area from a road located opposite a settlement known as Davidson’s Corners, where the Davidson family first established their farm in 1849. Between 1860 and 1890, 13 families braved their way up approximately 6 kilometres of twisting, winding road and attempted to eke out a meagre living by farming. There were no schools or churches. In order to attend school, children had to navigate the rocky mountain trail on foot. There were no stores however the farmers were able to help one another out with light sawmilling and blacksmithing services. A post office, known as Donohue, opened in 1914.

Despite their most valiant efforts, the soil was completely infertile and by the mid-1940s, most of the families had given up the struggle. In 1948, Newfoundout was officially declared abandoned. The lands are privately owned and remain in use during the summer for cattle grazing.