Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Returning from Peggy's Cove, we had a driving tour of Halifax. The Halifax Citadel has overlooked the city since 1749. The present concrete star fort, a National Historic Site of Canada, was built In 1828-1856. Halifax has been associated with a number of disasters. The recovery of bodies from the Titanic in 1912 was staged from here. Those individuals who could not be identified were buried in Fairview Lawn Cemetery. In 1917 an ammunition ship exploded in the harbor, destroying a good portion of the city. On a lighter note, out in the harbour was Theodore Too. This is a sightseeing boat decorated to look like Theodore Tugboat from the children's TV series. Along Hollis Street downtown were Province House (the Nova Scotia House of Assembly), built in 1819, the Boer War Memorial, Halifax Town Clock (1803), and Government House.

The excursion concluded with returning us to the Halifax Cruise Terminal. Two other cruise ships had arrived, Adventure of the Seas and AIDAvita. The cruise terminal is at Piers 20 and 22, the traditional ocean liner piers at the Port of Halifax. Pier 21, in the center, is used today as the Canadian Immigration Museum. The museum at Pier 21 commemorates what could be considered Canada's Ellis Island. Following World War II, refugees and war brides came through Pier 21. We did not visit inside, but saw the restored Canadian National passenger car outside. Most immigrants boarded trains in Halifax to take them to other parts of Canada. Speaking of trains, the thrice weekly Via Rail Ocean passenger train to Montreal was getting ready to depart just across the way. A short walk up the quayside was the Halifax Farmer's Market. The market was in a hall, rather than an outdoor venue. There was produce for sale and food stalls. Halogians were food shopping, but a large number of vendors displays were crafters. We purchased souvenir Canadian maple syrup.

Leaving Halifax, Caribbean Princess passed Georges Island and McNabs Island. Georges Island, in the middle of the harbor, contains the low profile Fort Charlotte (1750) and a lighthouse (1917). The island was named for King George II. The fort was named after Charlotte, wife of George III. It was used as a prison during the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) and served in defensive capacities up to World War II. McNabs Island, further down the channel was owned by the McNab family until 1934. A good part of it is a provincial park today and another picturesque lighthouse is to be seen.

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Photos

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax Harbour and the Halifax skyline from the cruise terminal. IMG_0081

Halifax Public Gardens
Halifax Public Gardens, established in 1867. Wrought iron gate. National Historic Site of Canada. DSC_0093

South African War Memorial
South African War Memorial. Dedicated in 1901. Canadian troops fought in the Boer War at the battles of Witpoort and Paardeberg and the Siege of Mafeking. DSC_0202

Halifax Town Clock
Halifax Town Clock. Built in 1803 on Citadel Hill as a clock for the British garrison in Halifax. DSC_0206p1

Spires
Spires of St. Mary's Basilica (left) and St. Matthew's United Church (right). St. Mary's has the tallest granite spire in North America. At the far right is the Halifax Town Clock.
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Halifax Citadel
Halifax Citadel on Citadel Hill. The first British citadel was established in 1749. The existing fortification, the fourth on the site, was built in 1828-1856. The Citadel was in use through World War I. View from Halifax Cruise Terminal.
National Historic Site of Canada. DSC_0230p1

A. Murray MacKay Bridge
A. Murray MacKay Bridge across Halifax Harbour. The 3,937 foot (1.2 km) suspension bridge opened in 1970 as the second harbour bridge crossing. DSC_0184

Theodore Too
Theodore Too. Replica tugboat based on the children's television character Theodore the Tugboat. Built in 2000 as a promotional device, Theodore Too is used as a sightseeing boat in Halifax Harbour. DSC_0192p1

Halifax Station
Halifax Station. Built as South End Station in 1928. Currently used by Via Rail Canada for the Ocean service. 1161 Hollis Street. DSC_0086

Canadian Museum of Immigration
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. The Halifax cruise terminal is at Piers 20 and 22, the traditional ocean liner piers. Pier 21, in the center, is used today as the Canadian Immigration Museum. The museum at Pier 21 commemorates what could be considered Canada's Ellis Island. It was used as Canada's maritime immigration facility from 1928 to 1971. Following World War II, refugees and war brides came through Pier 21.
Pier 21. National Historic Site of Canada. IMG_0101

Halifax Cruise Terminal
The Halifax cruise terminal is at Piers 20 and 22, the traditional ocean liner piers. Pier 21, in the center, is used today as the Canadian Immigration Museum. IMG_0111

Halifax Farmers' Market
Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market. The Halifax Farmers' Market began in 1750. The venue was moved to the Seaport in 2010. It is the longest continuously running public market in North America. IMG_0091

Halifax Farmers' Market
Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market. The Halifax Farmers' Market began in 1750. The venue was moved to the Seaport in 2010. It is the longest continuously running public market in North America. IMG_0092

Halifax HoHo Bus
Routemaster double-decker bus in use as a Halifax hop-on, hop-off (HoHo) sightseeing bus.
IMG_0095

Arriving at Halifax
The Halifax cruise terminal is at Piers 20 and 22, the traditional ocean liner piers. Pier 21, in the center, is used today as the Canadian Immigration Museum. IMG_0082

Port of Halifax
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Canadian National Coach 5227
Canadian National coach 5227. Built ca. 1937 by CC&F. Restored in 2017 and placed on display at the Canadian Museum of Immigration. IMG_0100

Sailboat at Georges Island
Halifax Harbour. DSC_0225

Sailboat at Georges Island Lighthouse
Georges Island. Georges Island, in the middle of Halifax Harbour, contains the low profile Fort Charlotte (1750) and George Island Lighthouse (1917).
National Historic Site of Canada. IMG_0113

Georges Island
Georges Island. Georges Island, in the middle of Halifax Harbour, contains the low profile Fort Charlotte (1750) and George Island Lighthouse (1917).
The island was named for King George II. The fort was named after Charlotte, wife of George III. It was used as a prison during the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) and served in defensive capacities afterwards. In use as part of the Halifax Defence Complex until after World War II. In use as part of the Halifax Defence Complex until after World War II.
National Historic Site of Canada. DSC_0237

Georges Island Lighthouse
Georges Island Lighthouse (1917). Georges Island in Halifax Harbour. DSC_0238

McNabs Island
McNabs Island. The island in Halifax Harbour is named for Peter McNab, who settled on the island in 1780. McNab family members lived on the island until 1934. The northern end of the island is the McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park
DSC_0264

Maugher Beach Lighthouse
Maugher Beach lighthouse. The present lighthouse was built in 1941, though a lighthouse as been at this point since 1815. McNabs Island. DSC_0267

Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Novia Scotia
We are going for two weeks this summer. This blog is timely. Thanks for your thoughts.

[AndrewHL]

Nova Scotia
There is a lot to do in Nova Scotia. Also see my previous blog entry on Peggy's Cove and following blog entry on Baddeck and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. I remember Grand Pre with its Acadian site and Evangeline statue and the Port-Royal Historic Site with the Habitation from a previous visit. Nova Scotia used to issue visitors a certificate of membership in the Order of the Good Time if they stayed a certain number of days, but I don't know if they still do that.