Summerside man turns passion for history into walking tour business

History is a passion of Brendan Ronahan’s, and he hopes to share it with people through Past-Port Summerside, a walking tour of the city’s downtown. Photo by Kristin Gardiner /Journal PioneerArticle contentSUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Ever since he can remember, Brendan Ronahan has held a passion for history.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThis summer he created what he’s dubbed Past-Port Summerside, a small business leading walking tours through Summerside’s historic downtown core. His hope is to share his enthusiasm and knowledge of the city with tourists and locals alike.Article contentArticle content“It really started when I was a very young lad,” said Ronahan.Article contentArticle content“I used to always enjoy having long chats with my great-grandmother about when she was a child. She actually grew up in a lighthouse, so a pretty unique experience. From there, I just always wanted to learn more about how people in the past lived.”Article contentHe finds himself enthralled by scouring old newspapers, reading old books making sure his script is in tip top shape and learning a thing or two along the way.Article content“It’s something spectacular to feel like you may be the first person to read this section of this newspaper since it was released.”Article content One of the first places Brendan Ronahan stops while giving tours with Past-Port Summerside is the city hall building. Photo by Kristin Gardiner /Journal PioneerArticle contentLeading visitors on tours of his hometown also isn’t new for him.Article contentIn 2015, his passion for it was sparked when he began leading tours for the Summerside and Area Historical Society. This summer, when he was looking for something to do, the idea to renew the tours with his own spin popped in his head, and Past-Port Summerside was born.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentWalk through the pastArticle contentWhen he goes out on a tour, he does so in period-appropriate garb, a black Panama hat and a suit custom-made by his grandmother.Article contentHe focuses on the year1906 for his tours. It’s one of the most “intriguing” eras for him, when it comes to Summerside, and much of the information he relays centres around the great fire of that year.Article content“It started in one of the railway storage sheds and spread throughout the rest of the city,” explained Ronahan. “At that time, Summerside had some sewerage, but not anything in the way of fire mains, so the two-horse-drawn steam engines weren’t really adequate.”Article contentAccording to the city’s website, the fire destroyed 150 buildings, many of them houses. Ronahan takes tour clients through several buildings impacted by the fire, including city hall, the armoury and churches.Article content“In addition, having the mural of the great fire on the fire house,” said Ronahan, “the script wrote itself, honestly.”