Description
The Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant is a commercial, vernacular styled industrial building with B.C. fir timber internal supports. The mid-twentieth century rectangular building is located in Port Union, NL, facing the water. It is clustered amongst a large grouping of related buildings that together comprise the Port Union National Historic District and Port Union Registered Heritage District. The designation is confined to the footprint of the salt fish building.
Statement of Significance
Formal Recognition Type
Registered Heritage Structure
Heritage Value
The Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007 due to its aesthetic, cultural and scientific value.
The Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant has aesthetic value for its distinctive overall appearance characterized by three-storey construction and three large elevator towers. The rectangular building measures 1719 square meters, an impressive size for its location and function. The fish plant retains its original wooden window fenestrations and dimensions, as well as the oversized door openings on the main floor. The building replaced an original one that was consumed in a devastating fire that nearly destroyed the town March 1, 1945. The square, flat-roofed freight elevator shafts are substantial in size. One of the shafts opened to the flat roof where fish was air dried, while the interior of the building held mechanical dryers for the same purpose.
The Salt Fish Plant is built using British Columbia fir and is well-preserved and strong on the interior. The open beams and posts support the expansive interior because there are few partitions or walls. The combination of materials and design techniques reflect the standards of the time following the 1945 fire.
The Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant has further aesthetic value for its landmark status, revealed by its distinctive size, shape and waterside location. Built into the side of a large, rocky outcrop it is one of the most recognizable manmade landmarks on this part of the coast and embodies the essence of the town.
The Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant has cultural value because of its relevance to the town of Port Union and its associations with early industry in this region. The Salt Fish Plant was developed by William F. Coaker, founder of the town of Port Union and the Fishermen’s Protective Union. The major focus of economic activity at Port Union revolved around the salt fish industry and this building was a hub of activity and a major employer for the union-built town.
The Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant is valued for its scientific advances. Several components related to extensive early use of modern technology – such as electric powered elevators, fish driers and presses – remain in the building. The use of this technology put the fish plant ahead of many others in terms of production and output, giving the Fishermen’s Union Trading Company a competitive edge in the salt fish market.
Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Port Union – Fishermen’s Union Trading Company Salt Fish Plant – FPT 2739”
Character Defining Elements
All those elements that reflect the mid-twentieth century, industrial vernacular type of construction, including:
-rectangular shape as well as dimensions, orientation and location;
-flat roof;
-three storey construction;
-narrow, wooden clapboard;
-use of BC fir support posts and beams;
-three flat roofed freight elevator towers that extend above the roof;
-wooden windows, their fenestrations, dimensions, sizes and materials;
-original door openings and sizes; and
-proximity to surrounding, related buildings and structures.
Location and History
Community
Port Union
Municipality
Town of Trinity Bay North
Civic Address
Main Street
Construction (circa)
1945 - 1945
Style
Rectangular Long Façade
Location
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