Halifax, Nova Scotia was founded by British General Edward Cornwallis in 1749. The British created Halifax to act as a naval and army base to protect them from the French who had established the town of Louisbourg on the northern island of Nova Scotia. Halifax acted as a British naval base until 1906 when the Canadian government took it over.
Before Cornwallis arrived at this southern, peninsular area of Nova Scotia with 2,500 British settlers, the area had acted as a French fishing station. Beginning in the 17th century, the French and the British had struggled over control of the Atlantic provinces of Canada, most specifically Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The French-speaking people living in the areas of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, known as Acadians, were unique people; French, Scottish, Irish and even Portuguese influences were apparent in their culture. About 8,000 Acadians lived in these areas when the British claimed them as their own in the mid-18th century. Six thousand Acadians were expelled from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick between 1755 and 1760. Yet, by 1800 many Acadians had returned. This clash of cultures lasted through the 19th century and many Acadian influences can still be seen in the area
During the mid-18th century many foreigners immigrated to Halifax. New Englanders moved North attracted by Halifax's shipping and fishing industries. The 1750s and 1760s brought German, Scottish and Irish immigrants into the city. After the American Revolution many British loyalists moved to Nova Scotia from New England. By 1784 Halifax's population had reached 5,000.
During the early 19th century, 2,000 black loyalists who had fought for the British in the War of 1812 moved to Halifax, establishing the beginnings of a black community in Halifax. The 1830s brought the first group of Irish Catholics into Halifax, introducing a new religion to the city which had previously been Protestant. By 1851 Halifax's population had grown to 20,749.
The first half of 19th century was quite a prosperous time for Halifax. Halifax's harbor was busy; trade between New England and Canada was friendly and profitable. In 1854, Canada and the United States, signed the Reciprocity Treaty which allowed duty free trade between the two countries. However, the treaty was not renewed in 1866 because the United States was suspicious that Canada had supported the Confederate army along with the British. By the second half of the 19th century Halifax's trade started slowing down. Canadian tariffs further discouraged ships from docking in Halifax and soon the US ports became more desirable. However, Halifax continued to develop as a city. In 1866 the
first streetrailway system was put into place and by 1896 Halifax had an electric streetcar system. In 1890 Halifax opened its first city hall and in 1906, the Canadian government officially took over the army and naval base in Halifax from the British.
During both World Wars Halifax acted as an important naval base. Ally ships waited in Halifax Harbor until they were able to be safely escorted across the Atlantic. In 1917 Halifax experienced a terrible disaster when two ammunition ships waiting to cross the Atlantic collided in the harbor and caused the largest man-made explosion the world had known up to this time. The explosion killed over 2,000 people and caused $28 million in damages. Halifax spent the next several years reconstructing its northern district, which had been the hardest hit by the explosion.
Halifax Today
Today, Halifax is a bustling metropolitan city, serving as the hub of commerce for Atlantic Canada and a mecca to Torontorians looking for a place to "get away from it all". Halifax and the surrounding area are worth the visit to explore some of the delightful coves along Nova Scotia's rugged coast, take a walking tour of downtown Halifax, or take oldest continuous-running saltwater ferry in North America across to Dartmouth.
Places to see while in Halifax
The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is Canada's most visited National Historic Site, dating back to 1826. Actors dressed in period costume, bring to life the sights and sound of Halifax's military history.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic includes a permanent exhibit on the Halifax Explosion
The Halifax Public Gardens are a must for anyone who enjoys the grace of Victorian gardens, or who are interested in the Titanic.
Province House is Canada's finest example of Georgian architecture
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Submitted by umid on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 15:31.