Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island

Location of Tyne Valley in 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 Park Provincial Park, in which is found the homestead of the Yeo family. This, in addition to a local theatre group and an annual folk music festival contribute to keeping Tyne Valley’s cultural life rich and vital.

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.

Economy

File:TyneValley PE PO 2013.jpg

Tyne Valley Post Office

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.

Businesses

The village is considered by many to be the hub community in the area. Tyne Valley includes a Credit Union, Style's hair salon, Dillon's Store, The Landing Oyster House and Pub, Stewart Memorial Home, Ferguson's Funeral Home, Tyne Valley United Church, Tyne Valley Presbyterian Church, Murhpy's Tyne Valley Pharmacy, Irving gas station, Liquor store, the Community Sports Complex, the fire hall and bowling alley, the post office, and the Tyne Valley Public Library.

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, 82% have less than Grade 12 education and 15% possess a high school diploma or higher. 3% 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.

Some famous Islanders hailing from, or who have hailed from, the community include 'Dambuster' F/O Vincent Sanford MacCausland, former Premier Keith Milligan, former Dean of McGill Law, Percy Ellwood Corbett, Member of Parliament Joseph McGuire, Island visual artist Charlene Williams, historic shipbuilder James Yeo, and deceased folk artist Larry Gorman. Current famous residents are Jeff Noye (Rock the boat festival founder) and Power Engineer teacher at Holland College: Steven Ellis.

Notable buildings

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.

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

High School Students in the area attend Westisle Composite High School along with all other communities in West Prince. Rivalry between these communities has been known to flare up on occasion despite the close geographic locations.