Halifax (City port of entry capital)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a city, port of entry, capital of the Province of Nova Scotia, and county-seat of Halifax co., on Halifax Harbor; and on the Intercolonial and the Dominion Atlantic railroads. It is the largest community and only city in the province. The harbor of Halifax is one of the best in the world, 6 miles long, with an average width of a mile, and protected by 11 fortifications. At the N. end of the bay is a narrow channel connecting with Bedford Basin, a sheet of water, 6 miles long, by 4 miles wide, capable of sheltering all the navies of the world. Halifax is the chief British naval station in North America, and in 1901 was the only station on the Atlantic coast occupied by British troops. Public Interests. The city is well laid out, the streets are spacious, and cross each other at right angles. Many of the houses are of wood, but many also edifices. are handsome brick and stone The most notable buildings include Government House (official residence of the rieutenant-governor), the Academy of Music, City Hall, the Masonic Temple, Y. M. C. A. Buildings, the Wellington Barracks, Roman Catholic and Church of England Cathedrals, St. Paul's Church (one of the oldest churches in North America), Provincial Building, the Armory, Admiralty House, Military Hospital, Dalhousie College, Free Library, Provincial Hospital, and Court Citadel, a fortress of earth House. The and granite, occupies the summit of the hill commanding the city, is over a mile in circumference, is the strongest fortification in America, and one of the strongest in the world, and the work of many years. The city is lighted by gas and electricity, and is the seat of the see of the Anglican Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Halifax. The Public Gardens, covering some 17 acres, are considered the finest public gardens on the Continent, and the military band concerts given there form one of the chief attractions for visitors to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Point Pleasant Park, a handsome natural woods, chiefly of spruce and pine, and the "Dingle," a private private natural thrown open to park of great extent, the free use of the public, are among the chief pleasure grounds. The North West Arm, an inlet of the sea, on the W. side of the city, is a charming bay, on the shores of which are many of the villas of the merchants. Business Interests. - Most of the commerce of the province is carried on in Halifax, and the city has considerable West Indian trade, exporting lumber, fish and agricultura ultural products, and receiving in exchange sugar, rum, molasses and other sub-tropical products. The chief industry of the inhabitants is directed to manufactures, shipbuilding, principal commerce and fisheries. The manufactures are iron castings, machinery, agricultural implements, nails, gunpowder, cordage, leather, boots and and shoes, soap and candles, cotton wooden ware. There woolen goods and are also sugar refineries, distilleries and breweries. History. Halifax harbor was originally known as Chedabucto or Chebucto bay, but in 1749 the city was founded on the W. shore by Lord Cornwallis, made the capital of Nova Scotia, then including New Brunswick, and named in honor of the Earl of Halifax. It was incorporated as a city in 1842. It is governed by a mayor, elected annually by the citizens, and 4 controllers and 12 council- The city men, elected for two years. sends two members to the Canadian House of Commons, and three to the Provincial Legislature. Pop. about 46,- 600. On Dec. 6, 1917, the collision of two munition vessels off the harbor caused an explosion and conflagration that destroyed property over 2½ square miles, and was followed on the next day by a severe blizzard. The catastrophe caused the death of 1,158 persons, while upward of 4,000 were injured and 20,- 000 were made homeless. SCHWÄBISCH