Nova Scotia's Lighthouse Route
A Link Between Past and Present in Canada's Coastal Provinces
Feb 1, 2009
Canada’s east coast is a place of contrasts, with it modern skyscrapers and small, rustic homes. Traditionally a gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, the Maritime region has a far more European feel than the western provinces, with old-style houses and fishing wharfs mixed in with modern architecture and traffic.
Nova Scotia’s history
Histories of Nova Scotia tell a long, exciting tale, sprinkled with famous people and amazing events. Alexander Graham Bell is only one of the people celebrated there, with a special display on Cape Breton Island, depicting the importance of his work for future generations. Explorers like John Cabot once walked on Nova Scotia’s shores, later followed by settlers from Scotland and eventually the world. As they populated the shores, they became aware of a pressing need for lighthouses to help prevent shipwrecks, and with the building of a series of lighthouses along the shoreline, a new era of life on the coast began.
The Lighthouses of Nova Scotia
Lighthouses have been part of seafaring life for centuries, providing beacons of light for sailors and signifying the region’s maritime history. Nova Scotia’s southern coast is known for its many lighthouses, many of them along a highway on the south shore between Yarmouth and Halifax. The Lighthouse Route has much of the charm and history people associate with Nova Scotia. One of the first stops is the Yarmouth County Museum, and further along the road in Lunenburg is a replica of the Bluenose II, famous for being pictured on the Canadian dime. Following the road gives visitors a fascinating insight into Nova Scotia’s past and present.
The most famous lighthouse on the route is at Peggy’s Cove, standing at the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay. Tourist information about the lighthouse traces its history back to 1868, when a wooden lighthouse was first built there. The lighthouse keepers there used kerosene lamps and mirrors to warn sailors of the dangers they faced on the shoreline. Although the old structure was replaced in 1915 and the kerosene lamp has been replaced by modern technology, the lighthouse still retains an old-world feel.
The Coast of Nova Scotia Today
Much has changed in the years since European settlers first established fishing villages on the coast of what would later become Canada. The fishing industry has largely disappeared, and the need for lighthouses has diminished with the rising popularity of air travel. Still, Nova Scotia's sailing history and the Lighthouse Route remain an important part of Canada's continuing story. With the rich history and quiet beauty of its coastline, Nova Scotia is a good place to consider for a long or short visit. Canada's gateway to the Atlantic is more than just a beautiful place or an interesting historical curiosity; it is an essential part of what defines Canada and makes it the diverse country it has become.
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