| Local History |
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Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia is named after the waterway approaching Halifax harbour that lies between the mainland, Lawlor's Island and McNab's Island. Prior to European settlement, Eastern Passage had been a part of Mi'kmaq (Micmac) territory for 11,000 years. |
1700 |
European settlers began arriving at Eastern Passage (one of the first settlements in Halifax County). |
1745 |
Eastern Battery was established by the English for defense. Later renamed Fort Clarence. Dismantled in 1930, on its former grounds now stands the Imperial Oil Refinery. |
1749 |
Mic Macs relocated to McNab’s Island by English. |
1749 |
Battery constructed at Cogel’s Point to observe actions of Mic Macs on McNab’s Island. |
1750 |
Edward Cornwallis began granting land deeds on the eastern side of Halifax harbour. |
1752 |
Property that is present day Government Wharf Road, Fisherman’s Cove, was granted to Joseph Gorham. Joseph Gorham was most famous for being a member of the military group known as the Gorham’s Rangers. |
1759 |
First official mention of Eastern Passage on a nautical chart prepared by James Cook. |
1798 |
Property formerly belonging to Joseph Gorham was granted to Jacob Horne Sr. and is son Jacob Horne Jr. |
1813 |
Population of Eastern Passage was increasing rapidly. |
1840 |
Gold was discovered in Cow Bay, a mine was opened which was operated locally until 1890 when sold to an American company. |
1851 |
Fishing began to be more prominent in Eastern Passage. |
1855 |
Brick works was opened by Messrs, Peters, and Blacklock. |
1864 |
Escape of the Talahassee ...read more |
1882 |
Life boat station established on Devil’s Island. Station was dismantled in 1936/37 after more than forty years of service. |
1902 |
First telephone service was made available in Eastern Passage. |
1918 |
American Naval Air Base was established, first commanding officer was Admiral Richard Byrd. The base was turned over to the Canadian Government in December 1918 and later became CFB Shearwater. |
1914-1947 |
Eastern Passage played a part in both World Wars...read more |
1918 |
Imperial Oil Refinery opened. |
1930's |
During prohibition illegal goods were smuggled to Halifax and Dartmouth via Eastern Passage bypassing the ports in Halifax and Dartmouth. |
1933 |
Charles and Anne Lindbergh landed in Eastern Passage during their experidition to chart possible trans-Atlantic air routes. |
1942 |
Fire was started in the crick which was saturated with oil destroying homes, fish sheds, boats, wharves, and Quigley’s Store, Quigley’s corner. |
1945 |
Bedford Magazine Explosion. |
1946 |
"The Crick" was dredged to become a base for fishing. |
1960 |
Fire gutted the 128 year old Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, stood on the site of the present day graveyard. |
1978 |
Fish Basket fishing plant established by Reginald Hartlen on Government Wharf Road. |
1995 |
Fisherman’s Cove construction began. |
1996 |
Official opening of Fisherman’s Cove on Canada Day. |
2004 |
Fisherman's Cove Marine Interperative Centre Opens - Spring 2004 |
2009 |
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2010 |
Check our events calendar to see how we're making history! |
