changing communities
Last week we went for a drive to the Cornhill Nursery in Kings County to buy a new cherry tree for our yard. Afterwards we took a drive to visit some of the old communities in the area. One of these communities, Whites Mountain, was a rural farming community with 17 families in 1866 (New Brunswick Provincial Archives). By 1898 the community had one post office, one church and 100 people. Today the community consists of a few farms and residences, perched on a steep hillside overlooking the hilly landscape of northern Kings County.
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On the road descending Whites Mountain, Kings County, overlooking the broad Kennebecasis Valley (September 2016)
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One of the most interesting sights on our drive may also be evidence of the farmsteads formerly in the area. Although Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.) is native to North America, in this area it is usually associated with human habitation. In the thick woods north of the community, we found Virginia Creeper in profusion, covering the surface of the trees.
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Although there is only forest here now, perhaps the ancestors of these vines covered barns and other buildings in the area.
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Copyright 2016 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
Beautiful. And think of how beautiful it’s going to be in a few weeks when the Virginia Creeper turns that marvellous red.
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Jane Fritz
September 22, 2016 at 11:05 pm
We have lots growing in our yard so I get to enjoy those colours every fall!
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jane tims
September 23, 2016 at 9:29 am
It’s fascinating (and sometimes a little sad) to think about the reasons that some communities grow and prosper over time, while others nearly vanish.
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Sheryl
September 22, 2016 at 1:48 am
It must be hard to visit your childhood community and find it gone. I had the opposite experience … My home town has grown so much I couldn’t figure out where I was!
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jane tims
September 23, 2016 at 9:29 am
Virginia Creeper: and one touch of frost … nice photos, too.
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rogermoorepoet
September 21, 2016 at 8:54 am
Yes, I was thinking how beautiful these vines must be when they turn red in fall, surrounded by the red of the maples.
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jane tims
September 21, 2016 at 9:57 am
They are gorgeous, but ours just shrivels after that first frost.
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rogermoorepoet
September 21, 2016 at 10:02 am