03/29/2025
SECTION ONE-A FEATURE STORIES
Saturday, June 14, 2025: THE LAST JOURNEY OF OLD STEAM ENGINE 52: THE END OF PARRSBORO'S RAILWAY ERA, by Michael G. Winters
June 14, 1958 - a date that marked the final breath of steam railway service in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. I was a young boy standing at the train station in Parrsboro, gripping the handlebars of my bicycle, my seven-year-old heart heavy with the realization that this was the last time I would see a train in motion here. Old steam engine number 52 was leaving the Parrsboro station for the final time, bound for its last journey back to Springhill.
For the people of Parrsboro, this was no ordinary departure. The closing of the railway severed an artery that had pulsed through the town for eighty-one years, shaping its economy, culture, and identity. As the train rumbled away, the crowd gathered in silence, watching their town lose its historic rail connection to the rest of the world.
The origins of this railway traced back to the coal industry, which had been central to Nova Scotia’s development for more than a century. The General Mining Association (GMA) was established in 1825 under a lease granted by the Duke of York, securing mineral rights across Nova Scotia. However, these rights were revoked by the colonial government in 1849, forcing the GMA to retain only select properties - one of which was a 4-square-mile coal deposit in Springhill, Cumberland County.
For decades, the coal beneath Springhill lay largely untouched— - due to a lack of demand, but because of the difficulty in transporting it. It was not until the construction of the Intercolonial Railway in 1870 that coal mining could flourish. Yet, the main railway line ran east to west, between Truro and Moncton, bypassing Springhill’s coal field entirely. This prompted local interests to push for a railway link to a southern port - one that would allow coal shipments to flow freely.
Thus, in 1872, the Spring Hill & Parrsborough Coal and Railway Company (Limited) was incorporated, securing rights to mine coal and construct a rail line. By 1875, construction was underway, and just two years later, on July 1, 1877, the railway officially opened, with the first coal train arriving at Parrsboro’s harbour. The immediate impact of the railway was profound. Over 900 ships were loaded with coal in its first year alone. The port, previously a regional hub for shipbuilding, was now thriving as a major coal export centre.
The railway’s construction was not just an economic venture - it was an engine of transformation for Parrsboro. Beyond coal shipments, it brought:
- Public transportation, linking Parrsboro with Springhill and beyond.
- Freight services, allowing goods to move efficiently.
- Mail delivery, connecting the town with faster correspondence.
- Telegraph communication, granting instant access to information.
Parrsboro’s first railway station, located at the foot of Station House Hill, stood directly below the old, still-existing Fullerton Law Building on Spring Street, near what is now Two Islands Road. Two sets of tracks ran in front of it, bridging the station with the harbour. However, fire later consumed this original structure, leading to the construction of a second station farther east along the tracks - a building that still stands today, though in an uncertain condition.
Several small Railway Section Houses lined the tracks along the route between the two u County towns, serving as storage depots for tools and supplies. It is believed only one such Section House remains today in the Parrsboro area - privately owned and well-preserved - a rare remnant of a time when the railroad dictated the rhythm of daily life.
Railway operations depended on a tight-knit group of workers, many of whom became well-known figures in town.
- C. C. Langille, a manager of the Cumberland Railway & Coal Company.
- Edward Fowler, a railway section boss, responsible for maintaining key parts of the line.
- Arthur "Art" Tucker, who lived on Eastern Avenue and served as station manager.
- Joseph "Joe" Cutton, former Freight Agent, whose large Spring Street house overlooked the Station.
- D. A. Fraser, a railway brakeman in the early 1900s.
- Palmer Leslie Winters (my grandfather), a Coal Trimmer who diligently worked through the 1900s to 1930s.
Even the town’s hospitality bore traces of the railway’s presence. At one point, James Gillespie Jr. operated the "Railway Hotel," though its exact location is now lost somewhere in time.
Beyond industry, the railway played a key role in the cultural traditions of Springhill and Parrsboro. Each year, the legendary Springhill Miners’ Labour Day Picnic provided miners and their families a rare escape from the laborious life of the coal mines. Passenger cars filled with hundreds of excited travelers, making their way through Cumberland County’s rolling countryside toward Parrsboro’s harbour. After a day spent shopping in local stores and picnicking in fields along Two Islands Road, the crowds would board the evening train home. Occasionally, the festivity took a rowdy turn - Springhill miners and Parrsboro residents, fueled by drinks, would exchange blows in impromptu boxing matches. Such antics only added to the event’s lore, making it a memorable part of railway history. This tradition (the picnic, not the inebriation), was revived in the early 2020s, with a modern re-enactment at the Ottawa House, though this time, transport was via road rather than rail.
Even as the railway thrived, its fate was tied to the coal industry. As coal exports diminished, so too did the railway’s necessity. By 1910, the Dominion Coal Company Limited (DOMCO) acquired the Cumberland Railway and Coal Company, continuing operations as a subsidiary. But the inevitable came in 1958, as DOMCO made the decision to cease coal shipments via the Parrsboro port. With the primary industry gone, the railway had no reason to continue service, leading to its official closure.
This seven-year-old boy, now seventy-four, watched steam engine number 52 disappear into the distance, knowing Parrsboro would never again hear its whistle. But for locals, this was more than a logistical loss - it was the end of an era. A connection to the outside world had vanished, leaving Parrsboro to rely solely on roadways. The Age of Sail had long since faded, and now the Age of the Steam Train followed in its footsteps.
Even as decades passed, fragments of the railway’s legacy remained. The old station still stands, its future uncertain. The Section House survives, quietly preserved in private ownership. And though tracks have long been removed, their ghosts still linger in the memories of those who once heard the train’s arrival.
The railway’s impact on Parrsboro stretched far beyond its tracks. It shaped industries, transported families, and connected a small town to the wider world. Though the final train pulled away on June 14, 1958, its legacy lives on in the stories of those who remember - stories of coal miners, railway workers, ordinary townspeople - and a seven-year-old boy who once sped on his bicycle to greet the train, only to say farewell to it forever. (Michael G Winters)
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Saturday, June 07, 2025: A Legacy of Faith - THE FOUNDING OF THE PARRSBORO UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH
On a cold evening in 1859, the flickering candlelight inside Vickery Davison’s modest home illuminated the determined faces of several women gathered for a singular purpose. Their aim was to establish a place of worship for their community. As they sipped tea and spoke of their hopes, Davison made a bold proposal. “If you will host a tea meeting and raise twenty pounds,” he said, “I will match your sum and grant the land - a site for a Baptist Church.”
The ladies did not hesitate. A tea meeting was promptly arranged at the home of Jonathan Vickery, with another gathering following soon after at Thomas DeWolfe’s residence. Their efforts bore fruit, and soon, a contract was awarded - John Allen took charge of the masonry while Isaac Crowe handled the carpentry. By 1860, the modest yet sturdy church stood completed, a testament to faith and perseverance, and in the busy seaside town, Vickery Davison soon became known to all, as "Deacon Davison."
Over time, the congregation grew, and so did the church. Jacob DeWolfe added a gallery, funded in the amount of 20 pounds, by Vickery Davison, who presented DeWolfe with a melodeon in appreciation. At the same time, the church’s Pastor, the Reverend D. McKeen, began preaching in Parrsboro every fourth Sunday, shepherding a small congregation of fifteen devoted members. A Sunday school was quickly established, with Thomas DeWolfe stepping up as its first Superintendent.
The church evolved over the years. Between 1903 and 1910, electric lights were installed, and a Baptistery was built, partially funded by a generous legacy from the late Mrs. Bigelow’s estate. In 1947, under the watchful eye of Mr. Charles R. Dyas, a grand pipe organ was added, filling the hall with soul-stirring hymns.
Yet tragedy struck one fateful night - February 25, 1956 - when flames engulfed the beloved church, nearly reducing it to ashes. Repairs were costly, but insurance covered much of the expense, and the congregation rebuilt, their resolve stronger than ever.
Throughout the decades, the Parsonage of the Baptist Church saw several transformations and transitions. The original Baptist House on the town's main thoroughfare, believed to have been erected around 1870, was sold by the Trustees of the Baptist Church in 1881, to Esther Ann Jenks, wife of John W. Jenks. From 1885 to 1904, it was owned by Mary Donley, wife of John Donley, and became known as the "Old Donley House." Following Mary’s death, it was necessary to sell the house to provide support and maintenance of John, so was held in trust, then, in 1911, sold to noted Parrsboro lumber merchant James W. Kirkpatrick.
The Baptist House changed hands several times before settling into local lore as "the eerie house," overgrown with bushes, where children hesitated to pass. Thanks to the Hamilton Morris family, the house was later improved and enlarged in the 1960s, and remained in their hands for many decades to come. It can still be seen to this day, snuggling up close to the sidewalk at 431 Upper Main Street.
The second Baptist Parsonage, a grand new home, was constructed in 1897 at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Layton Street. This large two-story house with truncated hipped roof, bracketed eaves and bay windows, was built in the Italianate style. When it was first occupied, curious passersby were excited to see a large bell tower capping the five window projecting bay at one corner of the dwelling. The house stood proudly for over a century before it was eventually demolished in the early 2000s.
Despite the many changes over the years, one thing remained constant - the unwavering faith of the Parrsboro United Baptist congregation. Through fire and renovations, through generations of devoted believers, their legacy endured, shaping the town’s spiritual landscape for centuries to come.
Michael G. Winters (Some information is from the files of E. Ruth Smith, and other details from the Heritage Homes and History of Parrsboro book, 1989.) See old postcard photo below.
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Saturday, May 24, 2025: FROM CHALKBOARDS TO COMMUNITY HALLS: THE SCHOOLS OF FIVE ISLANDS, by Michael G. Winters
The little schools of Five Islands tell a rich tale of resilience, dedication, and the power of community. These humble institutions shaped generations of students, each brick and beam infused with the labor of local families who built them with their own hands.
Boydtown School: this building was originally a church hall that arose from community effort - the land donated, the lumber secured through tea meetings, and the structure framed by the Reverend Andrew Grey himself. It wasn’t until 1899 that parents advocated for its use as a school, sparing their children from the long trek to Lower Five Islands. The first desks were handmade, and local pie socials paid for supplies, including an organ to bring music into its walls. Over the years, it evolved, serving Methodist and Presbyterian congregations before finally closing as a school in 1966 and transforming into a community hall, the Five Islands Senior Citizens Centre, a Little Red School House project.
Lower Five Islands School: Schooling in Lower Five Islands dates to the 1800s, with its earliest schoolhouse standing on land owned by James and David Adams. A second school built in 1911 overlooked North River, serving students until 1966-67, when consolidation led to bus transport to Five Islands School. After its closure, the former schoolhouse found new life - one as a part of the H.E. Pugsley Ltd. Store, and the latter as the fire hall, then a central part of the community’s safety infrastructure.
Lynn School: Built between two roads on Lynn Mountain, the first Lynn school quickly outgrew its small frame. A second, larger school replaced it, but fire claimed it around the turn of the century. Not to be deterred, the community adapted, repurposing the I.O.G.T. Lodge Hall as their new school site. It remained in operation until 1944, but in 1967, flames took it once again - a final chapter for Lynn’s schoolhouse.
New Brittain School: Before a formal schoolhouse was built, classes were held in Marsden Corbett’s home atop Mars Hill in 1855. A proper building followed in 1877, only to be destroyed by fire, prompting lessons to move into homes once more. When rebuilt, the school remained for decades, reopening in 1919 after a brief closure, only to close permanently years later when students were transported to Five Islands.
These schools embodied more than just education; they were pillars of community life, standing resilient through change, fires, and shifting times. Even in their transformations, they remain landmarks of Five Islands’ spirit - repurposed, but never forgotten.
Community Hubs: Each school functioned as more than just a learning space - it was a center for gatherings, meetings, and events. The Boydtown School, for example, originated as a church hall, hosting prayer meetings and pie socials to fund essential supplies. These schools were places where neighbors connected, where celebrations were held, and where traditions took root.
Education & Opportunity: Before these schools were built, children had to travel considerable distances for an education, making learning difficult, especially in harsh weather. Establishing schools like the Lower Five Islands School meant local children could access education without long, exhausting journeys. These institutions empowered young minds, helping them gain skills necessary for trades, business, and leadership within the community.
Adapting to Change: The transition from local schools to larger, centralized schooling in the mid-20th century marked a shift in community dynamics. Some former school buildings were repurposed - one became a fire hall, another a store - allowing them to remain embedded in local life rather than disappearing altogether. Despite consolidation, the bonds forged through generations of shared learning remained strong.
Strengthening Local Identity: From teachers who stayed for decades to families whose children all walked the same halls, these schools helped define Five Islands’ culture. They carried the stories of multiple generations - struggles, successes, and transformations - and became a crucial part of the area’s heritage.
Following its closure in 1966, the Boydtown School transitioned into a community hall, preserving its tradition as a gathering place. Though it no longer echoed with the voices of students, it remained a hub for local events, meetings, and celebrations—a testament to its deep-rooted significance. The Lower Five Islands School's transformation was particularly striking. After shutting down in 1966-67, its older schoolhouse became part of H.E. Pugsley Ltd. Store, integrating itself into the daily commercial life of the region. Meanwhile, the newer schoolhouse was repurposed as the community’s fire hall in 1968, ensuring it continued to serve and protect the people of Five Islands.
The Lynn School was closed in 1944, and in 1967, the building was lost to fire, erasing its physical presence but not its legacy. Though no longer standing, the school remains a piece of local history, remembered by those who walked through its doors. The New Brittain School, after periods of closure and reopening, eventually ceased operations altogether, with students being transferred to Five Islands School. Unlike some of the others, it did not find a new function but instead became a relic of the past, a quiet marker of the changing times.
Each of these schools, whether transformed or lost, remains a poignant reminder of the importance of education in shaping small communities. Their stories live on in the families who once sent their children there and in the buildings that continue to serve Five Islands in new ways. The memories of Five Islands’ schools are deeply woven into the fabric of the community, reflecting a time when education was personal, teachers were pillars of local life, and schoolhouses were more than just places of learning.
Former students recall the warmth of small classrooms, where teachers knew every child by name and lessons were often accompanied by the sound of a crackling wood stove. The Boydtown School, for instance, was a place where pie socials and tea meetings weren’t just fundraisers - they were social events that brought families together. Many remember their teachers not just as educators but as mentors who shaped their futures. Names like Mrs. Irene Lewis and Mrs. Elaine Corbett from Boydtown School, or Mrs. Marjorie Lewis from Lower Five Islands School, are still spoken with admiration. These teachers weren’t just instructors; they were community figures who nurtured generations of students.
Schoolhouses were gathering places - and beyond academics, these schools were the heart of the community. The Lower Five Islands School, later to become a fire hall, once hosted events that brought neighbors together. The Boydtown School, before becoming a community hall, was a place where children learned, played, and built lifelong friendships. Of course, there were also stories of hardship and resilience connected with these schools. Older residents recall the long walks to school in harsh winters, the handmade desks, and the effort it took to keep these schools running. Yet, despite the challenges, there was a strong sense of pride in attending these local institutions.
Though their doors may have closed and their halls may no longer echo with the voices of students, the schools of Five Islands live on in the hearts and minds of those who walked through them. These humble buildings, shaped by the hands and hopes of their communities, were more than places of learning - they were cornerstones of tradition, resilience, and shared experience.
From the Boydtown School’s transformation into a bustling community hall to the Lower Five Islands School’s new role as a fire station, these structures continued for many years to serve, even in new forms. Their spirit endures not in textbooks or lesson plans, but in the stories passed down, the friendships they forged, and the generations they helped shape.
The chalkboards have long been wiped clean, but the lessons remain - etched into the fabric of Five Islands itself - and a legacy built not just on education, but on the unwavering power of community. (Michael G. Winters, with research from The Five Islands Story, 1969 book)
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Saturday, May 10, 2025: "THE MAIDEN'S CAVE"
The Maiden's Cave is a legend which forms part of a collection of Maritime mysteries. The Legend honours a young woman's courage.
The story takes place in a cave at Black Point in Cumberland County, near Parrsboro, now known as "Maiden's Cave." When the wind is high, strange sounds are emitted from the cave that resemble the cry of a young girl. The sounds recall the fate of a lovely girl who died in the cave. The tale takes place in those long ago days when many pirates ruled the seas.
There was a merciless Italian pirate named Deno who was cruising off the shore of Nova Scotia when he came across a British ship. The pirates boarded the ship and proceeded to kill all those aboard except for the Commander's daughter. Deno had a special interest in the commander's daughter. However, the girl had little interest in the dangerous pirate as she had watched him kill her father. Although Deno was a merciless pirate, Deno sought to win the girl's affection through his attentive charming manner.
The girl could not forget the sight of her father and the first chance she had, she tried to kill the pirate. Unable to suppress his anger, Deno ordered the girl to her death by walking the plank. However, a war ship was spotted in the distance and the girl was saved from the same fate as her father. The girl was locked in her cabin while the pirate ship made its escape with the aid of a sudden storm. The storm drove the pirate ship into the Bay of Fundy close to Black Point near Parrsboro.
With the coming of daylight the pirates gazed with unbelieving eyes upon the shore. On shore, as far as they could see, the beach seemed to glitter with jewels in the morning sun. The pirates quickly made their way to land to gather their treasure. Deno gave the girl one last chance to be his bride. The girl declined the offer.
Deno then brought the girl ashore. He led her to a cave at the end of the beach and sealed the entrance leaving her to die. (Jocelyn Snyder Freeman - "STORIES AND PHOTOS OF NOVA SCOTIA" page)
This is a poem that Michael G Winters wrote in 1967, when he was an tenth-grader at Parrsboro Regional High School. The poem was selected by English teacher Willa Priest to be published in that year's PRHS Yearbook:
The Ballad of the Maiden's Cave
Come all ye story lovers and a legend you will hear,
That happened here near Parrsboro, way back many a year.
It's all about a Captain, who sailed upon the sea,
And took the life of a fair young miss, for riches, just for he.
Twas back in 1749, a storm rose out at sea,
Into the Minas Basin came a ship from Italy.
On it was an English miss, or that is what was told,
Whose father had to walk the plank because he was too bold.
They landed near here on the beach, and there it was they stayed;
There were many precious jewels about and soon a fortune they had made.
Up came another storm that day, a worse one than before.
The Captain decided they'd have to go and come again no more.
Into a cave they put the girl, afraid and all alone;
She cried and wailed and cried some more. Oh my, how she did moan!
The ship sailed off, into the storm, upon the ebbing tide;
The girl stayed in the cave for days, and then she finally died.
Some Indians walking near one day, heard a cry come from the cave.
They nearly went out of their minds, save for a giant wave
Which smashed the rock, which locked the cave and took it from the way.
And then, since many years ago, let in the light of day.
Inside the cave they found some bones, washed over by the wave.
They were so scared they ran away, the bones left in the cave.
One day, as I was walking by, my face turned very pale,
For after many, many years, I heard that maiden wail!
And it is true, right to this year, as many people say,
"I really heard that maiden cry" when I was down today.
Now, if you wish to hear her wail, come when the wind will blow,
For that is when you hear her best, down here near Parrsboro! (Michael G Winters)
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Saturday, April 26, 2024: “ONCE-UPON-A-TIME,” STORY-FILLED HOUSES IN PARRSBORO
Once upon a time . . . in a charming history-filled town on the north shore of the fabled Minas Basin, there was a lively business and residential community, one that is still filled with fascinating homes and stories. Each of the five old homes spoke about below, tells just a small piece of Parrsboro’s rich history, connecting people, architecture, and the passage of time.
One such tale begins with Carl N. Larson, a talented sail-maker, who worked in a sail-loft on Lower Main Street. Around 1887, the “Larson House” was built at what is today, a vacant lot at 2430 Western Avenue. It was initially constructed for an R. Thompson, but later became a rental home owned by the Smith family. The Larson’s moved in during the early 1900s, and Carl’s wife’s adventurous brother, Mr. Storey from Norway, even joined them briefly while prospecting for gold in Kirkhill—he struck some luck panning gold in Wharton Brook! After passing through generations of Smith ownership, the house eventually became home to Thomas Johnstone, a sawyer, in 1956.
Another notable spot was the Hyland Rest Home, which once stood on the harbour’s edge near the Aboiteau Bridge. Built in 1885 in a Greek Revival style, this house had a fascinating journey. Originally a company house for the Cumberland Rail and Coal Company, it was moved by barge across the harbour in the 1940s from the old Coal Wharves area, to become Edith M. Yorke’s family home. Later, it was transformed into a nursing home, owned by various operators including William “Bill” Mont, and was also known at one time as “Ann’s Nursing Home,” run by Ann Skidmore.
The “Baptist House,” still standing at 431 Upper Main Street added a spooky twist to town history. Built around 1870, it was once owned by the Baptist Church but became known as the “Old Donley House” after Mary and John Donley lived there. Following Mary’s death, the house fell into disrepair, surrounded by overgrown bushes that made it look eerie enough to frighten passing children. Eventually, it was restored and became a cherished home for the Morris family.
Then there was the Carroll House at 353 Main Street, built in 1868 with elegant Gothic Revival touches. It was home to Justice of the Peace Francis Carroll and later his son, Master Mariner Thomas Carroll. This house hosted the town’s earliest court sessions and was eventually passed down to various owners and tenants over the years, including the McGilvray, Woods, McKenna, Wiles and Smith families, each adding their own chapter to its story.
Finally, there’s the tale of the Fox River House, which began as a store in Fox River before being moved to Parrsboro by funeral director Allison T. Smith. Still located at 554 Main Street, it was converted into a home with touches of New England Colonial style,
and became a beloved dwelling, passing through the hands of many families, including the Falkenham’s and later the Perry’s.
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Saturday, April 12, 2024: AN IMPRESSIVE RESIDENCE BY THE SEA
The Ottawa House By-the-Sea is a two and one-half-storey wood-frame house located on Partridge Island, near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. Built circa 1770 in the Georgian style, this impressive residence overlooks the Bay of Fundy. Municipal designation includes the building and property.
The Ottawa House is valued for its association with Sir Charles Tupper, as one of the area’s oldest buildings, and for its Georgian style.
The Ottawa House was built circa 1770 by the Ratchford family, who were merchants and one of Parrsboro's founding families. It passed to James Taggart in 1839, who is thought to have brought the first school teacher to Parrsboro. It became the summer home of Sir Charles Tupper in 1871, who owned the house until 1895. Tupper was elected to the Assembly of Nova Scotia in 1843 and served as Prime Minister of Canada for 69 days in 1869. He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1879. While Tupper owned the home, he had a wing added to house his staff. Tupper called his summer home Ottawa House By-The-Sea. It was later operated as a seasonal inn and is now the Ottawa House Museum, operated by the Parrsboro Shore Historical Society.
The Ottawa House is valued as one of the Parrsboro area’s oldest buildings and is a good example of the Georgian style. Few buildings in the County date from this time period and were originally built in the Georgian style. While the exterior has undergone some changes, many original interior and historic elements remain, such as fireplaces, hand-hewn beams, and lathe work. The surrounding natural landscape contributes significantly to the heritage character of this historic place, and no doubt contributed to the original owner’s decision to build their home so close to the sea and outlying islands. Ottawa House represents an important segment of Cumberland County’s history at the time of Confederation and illustrates mid-nineteenth century architecture, economic and cultural development.
Source: Town Office, Town of Parrsboro, Heritage Property Site Inventory Forms, Book #2, Partridge Island
The Ottawa House is valued for its rare construction method, age, and role in the history of the Parrsboro area.
Partridge Island was the location for the original Planter settlement, a short distance from the modern Town of Parrsboro. Families from New England were drawn to Nova Scotia by the promise of land grants – lands made vacant by the 1755 expulsion of the French-speaking Acadians. While this area of Nova Scotia lacks rich agricultural lands, Partridge Island was located on prime shipping routes. Construction of Ottawa House began circa 1774, possibly using sections of an earlier building. The original form of the house was a Georgian style, three-bay, two-storey building with a hipped roof. The walls are palisade construction, a form generally associated with Acadian buildings and of which very few examples exist.
For whom the house was constructed is unclear. Due to its size and lucrative location, it was most likely built for a merchant or a person of some means. One of the earliest known owners was James Nobel Shannon, a merchant who arrived at Partridge Island in 1787, and the property has been referred to as the Old Shannon Store.
Following his death in 1822, the property was purchased by James Ratchford Sr. a merchant trader and banker who held numerous influential positions in the community.
The next significant owner was Charles Tupper, former premier of Nova Scotia, a Father of Confederation and Canada’s sixth prime minister who gave the building the name Ottawa House and used it as a summer residence. It is believed that the side ells were added during the mid-nineteenth century, possibly under Tupper’s direction.
In 1923 the Ottawa House was purchased by Captain Carl Merriam who operated it as an inn and it operated as such, under several owners, until 1980. At this time the house was purchased by the Province of Nova Scotia and is now operated as a seasonal museum by the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society.
Source: Provincial Heritage Property Program files, no. 268
The character-defining elements of Ottawa House relate to its Georgian style and use as a summer retreat and include: - two and one-half-storey wood construction; - hipped roof without eaves or decoration with three gables facing water; - two inset chimneys at roof peak; - symmetrical nine-bay façade; - centered doorway; - long veranda and balcony facing water; - all original windows; small-paned six-over-six windows on main elevation; - bracketed bay and oriel windows on side elevations; - all original or historic building materials, including clapboards, trim, brick (fireplaces), and framing; - location in natural setting, on a large property overlooking and directly on the Minas Basin; - location on the Bay of Fundy; - form and massing; - basic Georgian style of original central portion including hip roof, dormers, main entrance; - two side ells; - oriel bay window and two-storey bay window; - two inset chimneys; - three peaked gables on front elevation; - two-tiered veranda across front elevation; - wooden clapboard siding and trim; - original stone foundation under centre section; - all original interior elements including: all evidence of palisade construction in original section, interior spatial layout, hardware, wood work and decorative elements, plaster and staircase front hallway, elements of original open fireplace, and massive arched chimney base. (Canada’s Historic Places)
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Saturday, April 05, 2025: ONE LITTLE, TWO LITTLE, THREE LITTLE HOUSES IN PARRSBORO
In the charming, timeworn seaport town of Parrsboro, three little houses have stood as quiet sentinels to history, each whispering tales of bygone eras. Their walls have cradled laughter, ambition, and the steady hum of daily life, while their foundations have anchored stories as varied as the tides that grace the nearby shore. At one time, the three houses combined, served individually as a beloved ice cream parlour, the charming little residence of a revered doctor, the cozy home of a distinguished mayor, a bustling Main Street shop, the sturdy dwelling of a blacksmith, and even the hardworking workshop of a pump and block maker. These three homes were brimming with echoes of the past.
The first of these storied residences was built around 1870, believed to have originally belonged to the Church of England Parish of St. George. By 1876, it was sold to trader John R. Cutten, who occupied the charming little house perched at the bustling crossroads of Main Street and Eastern Avenue. A simple yet strikingly distinctive dwelling, its sloping roof was once poetically described as seeming to "sweep down" over a broad enclosed veranda, where residents could gaze out upon the town park and its lively bandstand. Throughout the years, its devoted owners tended to it with care, often dressing its exterior in soft pastel hues that lent it an inviting, cheerful presence.
Among the many inhabitants who graced this home, one was the esteemed Dr. Martin G. Atkinson, a tireless physician whose skill and compassion touched countless lives. Years later, the house welcomed the Hatfield family, well known for their deep-rooted ties to the flourishing lumber industry. Then came two widows - Emma Woodland, whose tenure briefly transformed the front of the house into a warmly lit ice cream parlour teeming with delighted customers - and Mabel Belding, who treasured it as her home for more than three decades.
Eventually, the house became the residence of Harry A. Smith, the affable and well-loved Mayor of Parrsboro from 1962 to 1965. Over time, it passed through many hands, each owner inscribing their own chapter onto the home’s ever-expanding story.
The second house, modest yet steadfast, now rests peacefully on Beaver Dam Road, though its origins trace back to an entirely different location. Originally constructed around 1870, it was once a small shop that stood proudly along Upper Main Street, near the enduring landmark of the old green Jenks Barn.
In 1899, blacksmith Samuel Roberts sold the property to Johnston Burns, who orchestrated its move to Beaver Dam Road, where the little structure was lovingly reimagined into a cozy residence. With its understated Greek Revival influences and an elegant Italianate-inspired bay window peering outward, the home embodied an enchanting balance of simplicity and grace. For decades, its walls enclosed the lives and memories of the Duffy family, after Janie Louisa Duffy and her husband, Thomas, lovingly claimed it as their own. Their daughter, A. Mildred Legere, continued the legacy, ensuring the home’s enduring presence in the fabric of the town.
The third house, a humble yet historically profound dwelling, once nestled along Whitehall Road. Built circa 1870, it featured a side-facing gable roof, a gable dormer, and a modest three-bay facade, offering it an unpretentious charm. The home’s first owner, Mark V. Dodsworth, was a skilled pump and block maker, diligently working at the factory near DeWolf Creek. An old 1875 map immortalized his name, marking his home and workshop as a fixture in the shipbuilding town’s industrious heart.
Though time and tragedy took their toll, with fire once gutting the structure, the house remained firmly tethered to its origins, continuing in its purpose as a workshop before evolving into a cherished residence.
Dodsworth’s son Tolbert, a meticulous mechanic, inherited the home, ensuring that it remained within the family’s embrace until 1922.
Afterward, the house welcomed a succession of inhabitants, each leaving a trace of themselves within its walls - from Estella M. Willigar, to the adept local carpenter Edgar Roberts, and later, residents like Celia Peters and the retired townsman James Bancroft. One of its final long-term occupants was Ruth Hiltz, wife of Hugh Hiltz, whose family held onto the house for decades. But time, ever relentless, eventually claimed the little home, and in recent years, it was lost to demolition, leaving behind only the whispered memories of those who once dwelled within.
Through shifting ownership, evolving roles, and the inexorable march of time, these three houses stand - or stood - as silent witnesses to Parrsboro’s rich and ever-changing history. Each crack in their walls, each creak in their floorboards, each shutter flung open to greet the morning sun bore testament to the generations who filled them with life. They were more than mere structures; they were vessels of memory, woven intricately into the heart of the town. (Michael G. Winters)
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Saturday, March 29, 2024: "SLATE and HEARTBREAK at PARTRIDGE ISLAND"
The old stone schoolhouse that once stood in the old Partridge Island community, held within its rugged walls, a story as rich and colourful as the churning tides of the Minas Basin that embraced it. Born out of the War of 1812, this humble square building, spanning a modest 18 feet in width, began its life as a powder magazine. It was tasked with safeguarding crucial supplies for the local Garrison, its sturdy construction a reflection of the area's strategic importance. One can almost picture soldiers perched anxiously on weathered benches outside, awaiting the signal from their superiors in the Blockhouse on the hill above the powder magazine, who were scanning the horizon for sea-borne threats from Yankee attackers. Attacks eventually did come, but fortunately, were successfully defended by the Garrison troops.
Over time, this tiny, storied building transformed into a community schoolhouse, becoming the heart of education for local children. Among its teachers was the ill-fated Miss Mary Wheeler, a woman whose tale is as bittersweet as the waters surrounding the island. Engaged to a prominent Ratchford family member, Mary dreamed of a happy life ahead, even inviting her sister from England to serve as her bridesmaid. However, in a cruel twist of fate, her fiancé fell for Mary’s sister, choosing to marry her instead. How the sorrow of this betrayal must have echoed through those walls, mingling with the whispers of the community around them.
The schoolhouse was more than a place of learning - it also served as a hub for governance. The Board of School Commissioners convened their meetings within its walls, and it was here that aspiring teachers faced their examinations. Success meant earning a teaching license, which could be acquired for the modest sum of two shillings and sixpence - or alternatively, by bartering five dozen eggs in return for the license. Teacher salaries, paid out twice a year, amounted to £6 11 shillings, a meager sum that today, would translate to roughly $13. The devotion of these educators, despite their modest compensation, remains awe-inspiring.
In 1951, a Mrs. Canning, then 77 years old, revisited the schoolhouse of her childhood. Born at Partridge Island in 1874, she reminisced about using slates and slate pencils fashioned ingeniously from the slate rock at Crane’s Point. Children would gather small fragments of slate from the nearby beach, transforming them into writing tools. This resourcefulness reflects Partridge Island’s spirit of resilience and creativity.
Regrettably, this historic building met its end in 1970, its demolition erasing a physical monument to the community’s shared past. Yet, not all was lost. Mr. Conrad Byers salvaged some of its stones, preserving a fragment of its legacy. Though there have long been dreams of rebuilding the schoolhouse as a historic site, that vision remained unfulfilled.
Today, only a simple stone monument, a handful of old photographs, and the fading memories of those who remember its presence, serve as tangible reminders of the schoolhouse. Its legacy, however, endures - a testament to the lives it touched and the stories it housed. "Slate and Heartache" remains etched into the Partridge Island's history, lingering like the whisper of the waves that lap against its shores. (Michael G Winters)
