Jackson's Arm is a small
settlement located in White Bay. It was first
settled approximately 130- 145 years ago by John
Wicks of Christchurch England via Joe Batt's
Arm.
In Jackson's Arm, the main occupation was, and
still is, fishing. The structure of the fishery
during the 19th century was similar to present
day structure. Today boats may be faster and
larger and technology may have changed the
methods of fishing, but the basic family fishing
venture remains the same.
In addition to fish, potatoes was a major
dietary staple. Older residents claim 16 barrels
of potatoes were needed to feed a family of six
for one year. The diet was supplemented with
locally grown cabbage, turnip, carrot, wild
berries, and wild game.
The first school, Church of England, was built
prior to 1884. This building served as both a
school and church. Early schoolmasters would
arrive by Schooner, stay for a few months, then
leave to teach in other settlements along the
coast. The first church to be built was started
in 1909 - Church of England. The building was
constructed with free labour. The first minister
was stationed in Jackson's Arm in October 1915.
Prior to this period, ministers visited from
areas such as West Port and Twillingate.
Community midwives and home remedies were in
constant demand. Home remedies included such
things as wooden splints for broken limbs, tea
leaves for snowblindness, eltrot leaves for
fever, and boiled roots for sore throats. The
first medical person to be stationed here was
Nurse Currant (1926-27).
Public services were slow to arrive in this
area. Public roads were not provided until 1962,
when a road made areas such as Deer Lake and
Corner Brook accessible. In 1977, the new road
to Sop's Arm was opened, bypassing the community
of Sop's Arm.
Some other important dates to note are: the
earliest mail delivery was by dog team and
komatik in 1901-02. The hydro service was
installed in 1966 and telephone service in 1968.
On June 19, 1981, a community council was
incorporated. In 1982, the community purchased
an ambulance. In 1985 a volunteer fire
department was formed and purchased a fire truck
shortly after. Cable television was installed in
1987, a service to which the majority of
residents subscribed.
In 1958, Jackson's Arm Elementary School was
opened. In 1978, high school students, grades 9
to 11, attended Sop's Arm Central High. Some
time later students from grades 7 to 12 attended
Sop's Arm Central High. In 1997, students in
grades 5 and 6 also attended the high school.
Due to the decrease in the number of students in
the area Jackson's Arm Elementary closed June
1998. Students from grades Kindergarten to 3
attend Pollard's Point Primary School, and
students from grades 4 to 12 attend Sop's Arm
Central High.
Fortunately, Jackson's Arm is one of the small
outport communities to survive the economic and
growth changes that our province has
experienced.
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