Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island

Tyne Valley (2006 population: 226) is a Canadian village in Prince County, Prince Edward Island.

Incorporated in 1966, the community is located in the township of Lot 13 at the intersection of Routes 12 and 167.

History

In 1765, the Tyne Valley area was known as “The Landing”, as lumber floated up the Trout River from the shipyards at Bideford and Port Hill. The community was named Tyne Valley in 1868, after the River Tyne in England. At that time, the community’s economy was bustling, with a blacksmith, cheese factory, tannery, tailor, carriage shop, plasterer, shoemaker, grist mills, and saw mills. The area’s shipbuilding history is commemorated in nearby Green ParkProvincial Park. This, in addition to a local theatre group and an annual folkmusic festival contribute to keeping Tyne Valley’s cultural life rich and vital.

Businesses Present

Tyne Valley includes a Credit Union, Charlene's Photography, Karen's Sewing, and Style's hair salon. MacNeil's Store, The Landing pub house and bar, Stewart Memorial Hospital, Tyne Valley Drug Store, Irving gas station, the Community Sports Complex, the fire hall, the post office, the Tyne Valley Public Library and just past the rink is a store called R&M Used Furniture and Antiques, they are one of the newest businesses established November 2007.

Geography

The village as its name suggests is located in a valley on the Trout River. The center of the valley features a dam which was constructed on the trout river and gave birth to a large pond currently named "Robinsons Pond". The name is debated by local residents since the title seems to imply ownership to Dr. G. Robinson who owned land on one side of the river prior to the dam’s construction.

The river is home to a small population of speckled brook trout and is frequented by anglers. Smelts will "run" during mating season in early spring and attract many people who scoop them from the river with nets.

The land surrounding the village is a mixture of farmland and mixed forest. A large peat bog is located slightly north of the village center.

Distances

Community Kilometers Miles Driving Time Approx.Alberton 44 km 28 miles 33 min.Borden-Carleton 62 km 39 miles 47 min.Cavendish 70 km 44 miles 53 min.Charlottetown 106 km 66 miles 80 min.East Point 212 km 133 miles 2.6 hrs.Georgetown 158 km 99 miles 119 min.Hunter River 69 km 43 miles 52 min.Kensington 44 km 28 miles 33 min.Montague 152 km 95 miles 114 min.Mount Stewart 134 km 84 miles 101 min.North Cape 75 km 47 miles 56 min.O'Leary 37 km 23 miles 28 min.Souris 187 km 117 miles 2.3 hrs.St. Peters 159 km 99 miles 119 min.Stanhope 127 km 79 miles 95 min.Summerside 35 km 22 miles 26 min.Tignish 61 km 38 miles 46 min.Wellington 17 km 11 miles 13 min.Wood Islands 167 km 104 miles 2.1 hrs.

Economy

*Agriculture is an important economic activity in and around Tyne Valley. The area has approximately 1.8% of the total number of farms in PEI and represents approximately 1.6% of the total provincial area. Total gross farm receipts in the area were about 1.7% of the provincial total.

*Municipal Tax Rates for Tyne Valley in 1998 are $0.45 per $100 of assessment for commercial properties and $0.35 for non-commercial properties. The annual sewer rates are $60.00.

Residents

*Tyne Valley has a higher than average proportion of people aged 15-24 and of people aged 65 and over, approximately 8% higher in each of these two categories.

*All residents of Tyne Valley indicated in the 1996 Census that their mother tongue was English. 9% of the population know both English and French.

*Many residents of Tyne Valley have ancestry from the British Isles. 68% of the population has some Scottish ancestry. 59% have some English, and 25% have some Irish heritage. 55% indicated Canadian origins.

*Of Tyne Valley’s working age population, 15 years of age and older, 57% have less than Grade 12 education and 43% possess a high school diploma or higher. 6% of the working age population have obtained a university degree. Compared to the province as a whole, Tyne Valley residents have lower levels of education. Provincially, 41% have less than Grade 12 education.

*There are two churches in Tyne Valley, United and Presbyterian. Adjacent Ellerslie has an Anglican church.

Trivia

* The local fire station is referred to by the locals as The Pig and Whistle or simply the pig after the television show of the same name. The sign currently depicts a comical pig wearing a fireman's uniform. The same building houses a bowling alley and other recreation facilities.
* The 831 telephone exchange is reputed to be the last in Canada to change to rotary style telephones from the traditional operator assisted dialing systems.
* The village is considered by many to be the hub community in the area.
* High School Students in the area attend Westisle Composite High School along with all other communities in West Prince. Rivalrys between these communities has been known to flare up on occasion despite the close geographic locations.
* One of the island's oldest Masonic lodges exists in the area outside the village known as Port Hill. (Alexandra #5) Named after Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom.
* Some famous Islanders hailing from, or who have hailed from, the small community include former Premier Keith Milligan, Member of Parliament Joseph McGuire, Island visual artist Charlene Williams, historic shipbuilder James Yeo, Maritime Idol Heidi Ellis and deceased folk artist Larry Gorman.