Halifax
Halifax names 3 different subjects across the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. Each is set out below.
Halifax a city, port of entry
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
Halifax a municipal and parliamentary borough of England
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a municipal and parliamentary borough of England, in York county (West Riding), on the Hebble, 36 miles W. S. W. of York. It is built on a rising slope, and has a very picturesque appearance. The more modern streets are spacious and well paved. Among the principal buildings are the parish church of St. John the Baptist (restored 1879), All Souls' Church, the Square Church, the town hall, market hall, theater, assembly rooms, infirmary, charitable instietc. There are several tutions, three public parks, and two grammar schools. Halifax commands abundant supplies of coal and water, and an extensive inland navigation connecting it with Hull and Liverpool. It is one of the centers of the woolen and worsted manufactures in Yorkshire, a great variety of goods being produced. There are also iron, chemical and machine-making works. Pop. about 101,800.
Halifax the capital city of Nova Scotia
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
the capital city of Nova Scotia . It is situated on a fine harbor of the name, and is an important seaport. It is the chief naval coaling station of the British in North America . The harbor is strongly fortified. It is the nearest to Europe on this continent that is open all the year around. The city was founded in 1749. It takes its name from a manufacturing city in Yorkshire, England. The population, according to the last census, was 40,832. At the close of the American Revolution the British garrison of New York City set sail for Halifax. They were accompanied by a large number of American royalists, who deemed that they would feel uncomfortable if left behind at the mercy of their American neighbors. "Go to Halifax" became accordingly a popular term of reproach.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's called Halifax in 1921 "the chief British naval station in North America"; the Royal Navy had in fact handed its dockyard to Canada in 1910, and the site is now HMC Dockyard, home port of Canada's Atlantic fleet, while the Citadel that Collier's rated "the strongest fortification in America" is a national historic site with costumed guides. The 1917 explosion it reports as killing 1,158 is now generally reckoned to have killed close to 2,000, and remains the largest accidental explosion before the nuclear age; Lord Cornwallis, praised here as founder, has been reassessed for his bounty on Mi'kmaq scalps and his downtown statue was removed in 2018. The city of about 46,600 was merged with Dartmouth and the surrounding county in 1996 into the Halifax Regional Municipality, now well over 400,000 people. In Yorkshire the woollen and worsted trades that made that Halifax have all but vanished; the town is smaller than its 1921 figure of 101,800, its name now better known through the Halifax bank, and the great Piece Hall reopened as a restored public square in 2017.
Written for this edition, 2026.