P.O. Box 129 |
Nova Scotia Tourism Region : Eastern Shore
Description From Owner:
- This town is located on the west side of the Strait of Canso on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. The Indian name was Wolumkwagagunutk, 'lobster ground.'
- The cove north of the town was early known as Waleman's Cove until soon after 1821 when it became McNair's Cove, after Colin McNair who obtained the land from Dr. Harris about 1821 and settled on it.
- The cove south of the town was named after William Armstrong, the original grantee of the land and a captain in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.
- In 1861 W.H. Wylde moved here and built an estate and the cove became Wylde's Cove until it was changed by act of the Legislature in 1859 to Port Mulgrave in honour of the Earl of Mulgrave, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia.
- Eventually the 'Port' was dropped. Captain William Armstrong came to this area about 1785 and 700 acres of land were surveyed for him on October 8, 1789. James Cowie, a Scottish soldier also located at Armstrong Cove about this time.
- St. Andrew's Anglican church was built in the summer of 1848 and it was consecrated on October 8, 1852. St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church was built in 1856. It burned on May 6, 1960. The new St. Lawrence church was opened August 10, 1962.
- In 1863 a nearly-completed Methodist church was destroyed by a gale. Another Methodist Church was begun about 1873 and was destroyed by the storm of August 25, 1873. Another church was erected and dedicated on August 18, 1878.
- The latest Methodist Church was built in 1911, dedicated January 7, 1912.
- A school-house was built about 1848 and Jane Giles was the teacher. A new school was built about 1867. Mulgrave Memorial School was opened in October, 1952. The new Mulgrave Memorial School was opened May 30, 1966.
- A post office was established in 1856. Mulgrave FerryRegular ferry service was established across the strait by Hugh McMillan about 1819. In 1882 the railway was opened to Mulgrave and in 1893, barges began carrying rail cars across the Strait.
- The Canso Causeway was completed in August, 1955. Port Mulgrave was incorporated as a town in 1923. Fishing is the basic industry. Until 1955 the ferry service was the main industry besides the services such as stores and service stations.
- Population in 1961 was 1145.
- Port Mulgrave: Named in 1859 in honor of the Earl of Mulgrave, Governor of Nova Scotia in 1858. The old Indian name for this place was 'Wolumkwagunuchk,' meaning 'the lobster ground.'
- With permission from 'Nova Scotia Place Names' David E. Scott 2015
Address of this page: http://ns.ruralroutes.com/Mulgrave