Where Everybody Knows Your Name

The Local Pub

The number of inns and taverns that existed in Canada in the early days, was astounding.  Every crossroad had one or more, and several dozen could be found along all the main highways.  In 1850, Toronto had a total of 152 taverns and 206 beer shops; for a population of only about 30,000. Sometimes men would go from tavern to tavern, treating one another to rounds, and over indulgence often led to serious accidents and even deaths.

Anna Jameson, when travelling through Canada in 1838; (Winter Studies and Summer Ramblings in Canada), wrote that "taverns and low drinking-houses are the chief places of public amusement and every inn, tavern and beer shop is filled at all hours with drunken, brawling fellows; and the quantity of ardent spirits consumed by them will truly astonish you."

Not that they needed to have a tavern nearby, since at almost every gathering liquor was served in abundance, but the local pub was a place to go and vent, discuss politics, or rally support for a cause; even if you couldn't remember what that cause was the next day. It didn't matter that the spirits served were often of poor quality; "made of frosty potatoes, hemlock, pumpkins and black mouldy rye". (John MacTaggart Three Years in Canada 1829), so long as it did the trick.

Off course, the local inn was more than just a place to drink, but also served as the social center of a community.  Dances and balls, political conventions, theatre performances, wedding receptions; all took place at the local inn.  Many historical events also took place at taverns, even the signing of important documents or mustering of armies. "Warmly dressed in blanket coats or buffalo robes and wearing all manner of boots and moccasins, people drove for miles to the inn. The sleighs were ranged, some under the shed of the village tavern, others along the sides of the street, the horses looking like nondescript animals, from the skins and coverlets thrown over them to protect them from the cold."

The 'bar' was the focal point of any tavern, as was a great blazing fire in winter, and "Everyone on entering, after desperate stamping and scraping, to get the snow from the feet, and careful brushing of the legs with a broom, to leave as little as possible for melting, made straight to it, holding up each foot by turns to get it dried, as far as might be." (Adventures in Canada Geikie)

My Ancestors purchased the old Court House in Grand Falls, New Brunswick in the 1870's and turned it into a hotel.  They held dances, wedding receptions, meetings and theatrical performances there until it burned down in 1894.

Once inside the hallowed room, there was no pretence at showing deference to anyone; and a laborer had no hesitation in taking the only vacant seat, leaving his employer standing. 'Treating' and being 'treated' went on with great spirit at the bar, mutual strangers asking each other to drink  as though they were old friends.  Geickie continues:  "Wine-glasses were not to be seen, but, instead, tumblers were set out, and 'a glass' was left to mean what any one chose to pour into them."

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