|
|
Craig Road
The first road alignment was made in 1800 by Joseph Kilborne, provincial deputy and controller, at the expense of Joseph Frobisher along with other owners of lots in the Megantic, with the goal of attracting colonists. This first attempt failed until1805, when Americans living in Danville, Richmond, presented a petition asking that the famous road be built. The American Revolution of 1785 and the establishment of the Eastern Townships in 1792 accelerated the arrival of several Americans in the Township. The Legislative and Executive in Quebec wanted to populate the area with British colonists with the aim of countering any American attack against Quebec. The assembly of Lower-Canada primarily made up of French-Canadians were against the opening of this road, pleading that the dense forest would be the best guarantee against enemy invasion. However, the governor of Lower-Canada, Sir James Craig, was in favour of this road. The colonialist government was personally in favour of opening a road connecting Lower-Canada to Boston, which represented a significant economic market. Governor Craig thus obtained the permission to proceed in 1810.
In 1810, 200 Quebec soldiers were assigned to clear a path crossing the Townships of Leeds, Inverness, Halifax, Chester, Tingwick and up to Shipton. On November 10, 1810, Quebec Gazette announced that a road 75 miles in length was cleared through the forest. It was to be 15 feet wide and have 120 bridges of which 24 cross broad rivers. This road wasn't as impressive as the authorities wanted to let believe. Actually, several bridges weren't built yet, and travellers had to try to cross the ford. In 1814, the road, neglected, became impracticable in several places. It wasn't until 1837 that certain repairs were undertaken; they then transferred the responsibility and the expenses to the Townships bordering the road.
Reference
Gwen Rawlings Barry, A HISTORY OF MEGANTIC COUNTY, Downhomers of Quebec's Eastern Townships, Evans Books, 1999, p. 44.
|
