The American Connection - Chester Nova Scotia

The history and heritage of the Municipality of the District of Chester is closely allied to our relationships with families and businesses in the Eastern United States. Some of our earliest settlement was by Pre-Loyalist Americans. Additionally, for generations we have had a strong relationship with seasonal residents, who first came here through trade or holiday experiences, that has had a major impact on our economy, culture and society. They have had a connection to our ship-building, trade, architecture, artisans and designers, cultural, athletic and social activities, and the fabric of life in our communities. A number of our landmark public buildings, such as the Zoe Valle Library, and the Lightfoote Tower, have been given to our community by American donors. They have opened doors for many of our students and competitive athletes, have assisted in the development of our businesses locally and have helped us create partnerships and relationships with businesses in the United States. In times of hardship, such as during the Depression, they offered important economic support that enabled families to remain in our communities. These families are widely extended, with some family members now permanently resident in Canada, and the story of their impact on our community, and their diaspora, is unique and not told elsewhere in our province.

Getting to Chester wasn't fast or easy. Just getting to Boston or New York might take several days. Then a 24-hour trip by steamboat to Halifax, and either a second boat on to Chester, or a seven to eight hour stagecoach ride overland. Industrialists, bankers, doctors and Ivy League professors first came for the hunting and unrivalled sport fishing. They returned with their entire families to holiday for a few weeks at the local inns and hotels. And they continued to come back to Chester year after year.