Wiseman, Olga. Interview about her memories of the early days of Mount Pearl.

• Main Author: Abbott, Lisa
• Other Authors: Wiseman, Olga
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: Migration/settlement; Towns; Communities; Wiseman; Olga; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_avalon/id/6226

Olga Wiseman talks about her memories of Mount Pearl in the 1940's and 1950's. 00:00 - Olga talks about her childhood. Born in England and moved to St. John’s in 1939; Moved to Mount Pearl in 1942; 01:50 - Her activities as a child in England; Came to Newfoundland originally to visit relatives; She moved on her own without her parents; 03:04 - Moved to Mount Pearl when she was engaged to be married; lived on Valley View Avenue; 04:04 - What it was like when she first moved to Mount Pearl, there was no snow clearing; 04:15 - Shopping, Parsons store on Park Avenue but most went to St. John’s; 05:28 - Talks about the demonstration farm on Brookfield road; 06:13 - Talks about transportation, mostly snowshoes in winter; Getting mail at the post office, a Mrs. Burry had a post office in her house near Park Avenue; 08:28 - Talks about Dr. Wells, the first doctor in the area. He did house calls; Common medical problems and remedies; The Grace was the nearest to Mount Pearl; 11:08 - Remembers that Admiralty house was a broadcasting station but nothing else; There was no need for police; No fire brigade; 12:43 - Talks about the forming of the community council; Changes after the town council was brought in; 14:51 - Talks about the community, Mr. Simmons built their house; 15:22 - Olga talks about which groups she was involved in; 17:20 - Wiseman talks about all the sports available in Mount Pearl; 19:33 - Talks about a ghost story from a train accident that happened near Chateaux Park and their where white snowy owls; Heard ghosts stories of Lady Pearl riding a white horse; 22:00 - Wiseman talks about the changes in Mount Pearl, saying that the railway should not have been removed; Talks about the first school in Mount Pearl, a one-room school in Mr. Billard’s shed; 23:48 - talks about Steady Waters swimming area; she spent her time volunteering; 25:13 - Talks about the bus route from Mount Pearl to St. John’s; 27:05 - Talks about religion, teaching Sunday school at the Anglican Church; 29:40 - Talks about her father ...