Clare Forestry
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Economical development of Clare
Through the first century of economical development of Clare, the forest was the only source of combustible for the home, a refuge for wildlife and a source of small fruits and maple sugar.
All construction material, except for glass, nails, and bricks, came from the forest. In order to exploit this resource which at first sight seemed inexhaustible, Clare families built and operated water-powered sawmills along the many rivers in the region.
These sawmills were used to saw the proprietor's logs and did not generate very much extra money for the families.
As of the 1870's, outside companies infiltrated Clare's forestry industry by offering what seemed to be large sums of money to residents for their woodlands.
As a result of these "deals" many Acadian families sold their pieces of land without knowing that they had also sold their futures and fortunes.
Large sawmills operated out of the villages of Hectanooga, Bangor, Concession, Belliveau Cove, Margo, New Tusket, Salmon River Harrington and Maxwellton.
In these companies, most of which were owned by outside companies, the rotating saw blades replaced the very slow vertical blades and the water wheel made way for the more powerful steam engines.
The industry was booming until the outside companies had exploited the lands and the workers upon which time some quit and others left selling their lumber companies for $1.00 to $1.50 an acre back to Clare families.
Today most of these once barren lands are re-grown and are cultivated by small contractors or by the landowners themselves.
Forestry took a downturn between 1930 and 1939 when the European market crashed and the New-England market experienced a major decrease.
But World War II granted re-birth to the industry with an insatiable demand for lumber to be used in the construction of hangars, barracks and naval ships.
A large number of businesses, especially in Clare, are directly or indirectly linked to forestry.
In the early 80's there were as many as 20 active lumber mills in the Municipality, 2 crate companies, 4 railway tie manufacturers, 1 coffin manufacturer, 3 furniture companies, 7 small ship manufacturers, and 2 large ship building companies.
The industry continues to influence the region of Clare and enrich its heritage.
Information taken from "La Ville Française Tome II, Les derniers cent ans" by Les Historiens d'age d'or de la Baie Sainte-Marie.
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