The West Side

Year
1894
Month
7
Day
4
Article Title
The West Side
Author
-----
Page Number
1
Article Type
Language
Article Contents
THE WEST SIDE. When St John was first settled by the Loyalists many people were of the opinion that the west side would become in time, the chief business portion of the city, and the great center of its wholesale trade. The west side was, therefore, laid out on the same ample scale as the east side with streets and squares, bearing in many cases the same name as those on the opposite side of the harbor. The west side was named after Governor Carleton, who evidently regarded it with favor, and it was the residence of Hon. Gabriel G. Ludlow, who became administrator of the government when General Carleton returned to England in 1803. As Mr. Ludlow died administrator in 1808, Carleton was far five years the residence of the virtual governor of the province. The fact that the water was deeper on the east side than on the west, and wharves more easily built, probably gave the former the advantage, which it has ever since retained, but there are indications that Carleton may yet recover some of its lost ground, and acquire a greater importance than it has yet attained. Anyone who has not visited the west side since the union act was passed, five years ago, will be astonished at the change which has taken place in its general aspect The construction of the grain elevator at Sand Point, together with the new wharves of the Canadian Pacific railway, and those built by the city adjoining them, have supplied Carleton with deep water wharf accommodation for four or five ocean steamships, and made that part of the city the center of whatever in transit business between Western Canada and Europe is done in. winter at this port. That this business will gradually come to St. John as grain exports from the west increase, is almost certain, and the growth of Carleton will be in proportion to the increase of that trade. During the past five years a wonderful improvement has taken place in the Carleton streets, the result of the increased expenditure which was authorized by the union act. The west side is now provided with excellent asphalt sidewalks, and the roadways of most of the streets have also been greatly improved. No part of Carleton, perhaps, has been more improved by these changes than Blue Rock, which has become a charming residence quarter, not second to any part of the city in natural advantages. When it is considered that Carleton is a cheap portion of the town to live in, especially in the matter of house rent, it is surprising that it is not more resorted to by young couples whose means are limited, and whom business will admit of their residing on the West side. One of the greatest benefits which Carleton has derived from the changes of the past five years has been the increased police protection it has enjoyed. The growth of the West side would be still more rapid if this increased police protection were extended to that part of Lancaster which lies between Carleton and the Bay Shore. This section of Lancaster is a most desirable place for residences, especially for summer cottages, yet, until it is better protected by the police, its natural advantages will be largely neglected, and few city people will build houses there. It would seem as if this strip of territory at least, should become a part of the city, that being the only way in which a sufficient police service for it can be secured.