Some time ago, Celia at http://celiasbluecottage.blogspot.com asked about a photo I posted on my blog.
The question about “that concrete creation with the message on it,” sent me on a quest of an old photo of the area.
This section of shoreline is known locally as the Shooting Gallery Shore. I didn’t know the original purpose or design of the structure which had been there or how its concrete remains, which now sit a few metres from the sea, fit into the original structure. Recently an old photo discovered by a friend on a local Facebook group shed some light on the original design.
The area was the site of the Rifle Range opened in 1913. The Canadian Government opened such ranges around the country after the Boer War. Canadians, in support of the British, fought in South Africa during that war and the largely voluntary force lacked marksmanship skills. After the war, the Government established the ranges to improve those skills among the population.
In Summerside, the federal government bought land along the shoreline and established a rifle range of 1000 yards to help militia and private citizens with these skills. The range was in operation until the late 1930s, when a Air Force base was established nearby during the Second World War.
In the intervening years, the area of the range has fallen into the sea as coastal erosion claimed much of it.
View of the shoreline from the top of the concrete wall
All that remains is the part of a concrete wall where men stood between concrete dividers to take aim.
Today, rock revetment assists in preventing further erosion along the shoreline in the harbour.
The old photo, taken in 1939, was near the end of the life of the rifle range. What will this area look like in another hundred years? It is a scary thought.
19 comments:
An interesting little slice of local history. At one time every village in England had an area known as The Butts where the men were supposed to practice their archery, you still occasionally see the name as part of street names or else still preserved as a recreational area.
I knew someone who Father fought in Boar war.
Coffee is on and stay safe
Well, I sure found this interesting.
Interesting bit of history!
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Guess I'd not want to own property too close to any shore. It would just be wise..... Not to...
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A fascinating tale - and a VERY scary thought to finish on.
Fascinating history of how it all came to be. I am intrigued by what has remained after so long. Thank you for sharing all this.
Fascinating that you could go back into history and find out so much interesting info.
Who knows what the next 100 years will bring...
Sue
Interesting bit of history!
Fascinating, old history.
If it deteriorates at the same rate as the first 100 years, there'll be very little left.
The 1939 image shows a very peaceful scene, compared to when the gallery would have been in use. Time marches on.
So very interesting to see how time has changed this place, and to know the history behind it as well!
research and history, it is all so interesting!! i wish kids/people would respect and honor these pieces of the past. it looks as though the area was in use with shooters during that photograph...it's a little scary to see a baby walking around. at least the moms did not have cell phones to distract them!!
Well that was an excellent bit of investigation work Marie, always love seeing old black and white photos. The message on the wall made me smile, when life gives you lemons add vodka 😉
I find it is always a bit jarring when you come upon something intact from a different era ... there's always a story behind it 1
@ Perth, Brilliant - Excellent Post - Stay Strong
Cheers
thank you for the piece of history dear Marie
i specially loved the old photo ,the serenity it shows makes my heart go for this era
Things really change over time.
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