NL Heritage Award

Registered Heritage Structure

The Walter Torraville Property (Cottage and Fishing Stage), Change Islands was designated a Registered Heritage Structure on May 2nd, 2004 by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Built early 1934 by Walter Torraville and Raymond Torraville of Change Islands, the Torraville cottage is centrally located on the main tickle of Change Islands just north west of the bridge-causeway that separates the North and South islands of Change Islands. The main two-story Torraville home is located just to the east of the cottage. The cottage has a commanding view of the Main Tickle and is approximately 100' from the shoreline (land wash).

The building is a wooden structure approximately 24' by 34' with one story 8' high, a round roof about 6' high and a sun porch design that is quite unique and beautiful in its simplicity. The "round" roof is unique and is one of only two left standing in the community. The other building is a two-storey house located in Puncheon Cove, a small deserted fishing village just one kilometer southeast of the Town of Change Islands. The cottage will be restores in the spring of 2004 by Stages and Stores, Inc. and the Stages and Stores Heritage Foundation.

Built ~ 1900s by Walter Torraville of Change Islands, the Torraville fishing stage and wharf is centrally located on the main tickle of Change Islands on the northwest shore of the North Island. It is situated about 100 feet east of the Change Islands causeway/bridge that links the north and south islands of the town. It is clearly visible to residents and tourists that cross on the bride/causeway and travel on the main roads of the town. Walter Torraville's business/building was located just to the east of the stage (near the current slipway). The current E. S. Spencer causeway/bridge completed 4 November, 1965 runs between the stage/wharf on the west and the business/building on the east, which is no longer standing.

The second owners were Gerry and Pearl Kearley. Pearl still resides on Change Islands and lives in the adjacent house. The stage was purchased by Fred Chaffey in the late 1960's and he used it as the first Change Islands ferry terminal for a car ferry service that operated between Cobb's Arm on New World Island and Change Islands. This ferry service was discontinued when the Farwell/Change Islands/Fogo Island government service was introduced on December 9th, 1979.

The restored fishing stage is approximately 18' by 34' with one story 7' high and a round roof about 6' high. The re-constructed wharf is 50' by 12' and has been located in the same location as the previous structure. The building is a beautiful example of the traditional inshore fisherman premises where a variety of fishing activities was carried out - cod (traps, hook and line, and jigging); herring (nets); salmon (nets); lobster (traps); inshore sealing (4-5 miles on the drift ice); and associated support bait fishing.

The Newfoundland Historic Trust presented the Southcott Award to the Stages and Stores Heritage Foundation for the restoration of Walter Torraville's Fishing Stage and Ferry Terminal.

For further information about Stages and Stores heritage awards and designations please see the Heritage Foundation Awards section of our website.