THE GROWTH SPURT!
In 1915, the Eastern Lands Company commenced its operations
in Foleyet. The company started the town with 15 houses. They also built
a mill, a pulp barker, planing mill, and a powerhouse on the present site
of Foleyet. They cut White, Red , and Jack Pine, pulp, and axe ties. The
Eastern Lands Co. built their main office here as well. They continued their
operations here until 1924.
The Eastern Lands Company's office was taken over by F.
Sawchuk. He turned the office into a restaurant. A fire that ignited on
January 17, 1931, destroyed the restaurant, stores and hospital.
H. Dennison opened the first store in town. Soon after,
he drowned in a nearby lake. Mr. H. Charron, of Mackwa, took possession
of the late H. Dennison's store. In 1916, Charron decided to open another
store in the heart of Foleyet, but on December 19, 1919, it burned down.
He and his family escaped the flames from their second story living space
by climbing down a ladder in -40 degree Celsius weather! The loss was estimated
at about $60 000. Charron rebuilt the store in 1920.
By this time, most camps were being rented out to contractors.
Among the many, these few were mentioned:
-McGovern & Lamothe
-Robitaille Brothers
-N. Ladouceur
-Delongchamps Brothers
-Riopelle & St. Aubin
-Chevrier Brothers
-H. Morin
After McKenzie & Mann's Eastern Lands Company built
a mill here, many families began to settle in Foleyet. A few of which were:
-Henri Charron
-Philias Gaudet
-Napoleon Gagnon
-John Lundy
Many more arrived in 1917, such as:
-Isidore Aubin
-Alfred Beaudry
-Alfred Clavel
-Eugene Desjardins
-D. Delongchamps
-Amede Feilion
-Edward Harrison
-Valerie Tabreque
-Edward Ladouceur
-Antoine Lalonde
-Louis Riopel
-Maxime Riopel
-Mr. Daniel Reagan
The first official doctors of Foleyet were Dr. L. Lipsett
and Dr. E. J. K. Rudd. The first hospital was built on the main street in
1920 by Dr. Rudd. After the fire in 1931, Dr. Rudd rebuilt the hospital.
In the 1930s, a bush fire ignited 15 miles west of Foleyet
at Pickeral Lake (now called Lemoine). The women and children of the town
were evacuated by boxcar. The fire destroyed many townships, but missed
Foleyet entirely!
Not too soon after, Mr. J. Robert & Sons bought Mr.
Charron's store. They also built a bowling alley and a modern theatre. They
were engulfed in flames in December 1949.