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| The oldest parts of Willow House were built by the Power family of
Mobile sometime after 1870. Originally
built further up the hill behind the house it was moved to its present location about 1960. A linhay at the back was added at that time and interior renovations were made to the kitchen. In 1990 the interior was renovated and modernized, the linhay was built up to the full two storey height and a new roof was added. The house was lived in by
Patrick (Paddy) Power for nearly a century. It is referred to by some Mobile residents as
Paddy Pooer's House. Pooer being a phonetic spelling of a local
dialect pronunciation of Power.
The Power family assembled nearly 10 acres of land which are still associated with the house. They raised sheep, cattle, and horses; they grew vegetables and hay. The fir and spruce forests on the land (now nearly 50 years old) still have rock fences, pasture cleared rock piles, and small clearings throughout. Blueberries and raspberries grow wild over much of the Power land and surrounding areas. Alders, willows, aspens, pin cherries, various shrubs and a host of wild flowers can be found near Willow House. Many of Newfoundland's 300 bird species visit Willow House feeders during the year. Rabbits are common around the garden on sunny mornings and, every now and then, a moose will visit. Bald eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, sharp-shinned, and other small hawks are seen regularly. Seabird sanctuary islands offshore Mobile Bay are the summer home for millions of puffins, guillemots, terns, kittiwakes, and gulls. Three kinds of trout, two kinds of charr, and salmon are angled near Mobile. The Avalon Caribou grounds are a brief drive away. But, if for nothing else, come for the whales! Every summer humpbacks, minkes, pilots, and porpoises inhabit Mobile Bay. You can hear them breathe and you can watch them from the rocky shores of Mobile Bay, two minutes walk from Willow House. The Southern Shore is the easternmost coast of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula. Settled regularly since the mid 1600's, the population now consists of mid 19th century Irish and English families mixed with modern settlers. You can walk the coastlines between communities using the East Coast Trail from St. John's to Cape Race and Trepassey. Willow House is on Cod Seine Cove Road which is part of the trail. For motorists, a day-trip around the Irish Loop (Routes 10 and 90) is a must. |