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There is something special about the part of the North Shore of Nova Scotia that lies between the Cobequid Mountains and the Northumberland Strait. It is not extensive, there are no major towns, there is no public transport, there is only one specialized industry with limited employment – and yet the population is increasing. It was not always like this – failings in farming, mining ventures, and ship-building caused families to move away to find work elsewhere; the majority stayed and by hard work, ingenuity, co-operation and determination produced settlements that have survived. They are centred in Tatamagouche with its range of services, but most have kept their character.
The early farming settlements struggled to survive. The woodlot provided a source of income in the winter months; ox and horse hauled logs through the snow. Hay crops were vital and grain was eventually ground at the gristmills as they were slowly built alongside swift flowing streams. An apple industry became successful – and failed when competition from elsewhere became too great.
Along the shore, Wallace, Tatamagouche and River John all had highly successful ship-building industries, with hundreds of sailing vessels leaving for worldwide destinations. The wood came from the huge forests of fine timber that stretched inland, processed by the many sawmill sites, which were run by damming the swift flowing mountain brooks and later by portable steam engines. Steam ships saw an end to the age of sail – but fish and lobster were plentiful, so canneries became important along the shore… for a while.
Could fortunes be made when copper and gold were discovered? Employment opportunities, reports on the excavations and even the problems of hauling in heavy machinery where no roads existed, created nervous excitement. Salt deposits underground led to a successful mining venture and the discovery of sandstone resulted in quarrying.
Meanwhile the service industries flourished, catering to the needs of the communities. The Short Line railway opened up marketing opportunities and easy transport for people and goods in an area with few poor-quality roads.
This then is the story over a hundred year period of the rise and fall of early industries, and consequently of dreams and disappointments, in this area of Nova Scotia.
