Horticulture/Garden members from Riverside 4-H club in a Middle Musquodoboit and Hardwood Lands in Milford learned some landscape construction techniques and horticulture as they provided their time and energy on some small projects at the Fairbanks Center. Clintar Landscape Management provided staff, tools and materials.
An important trade required during the construction and operation of the Shubenacadie Canal was blacksmithing. One can imagine the many metal materials and tools which would be essential. On Daniel Hoard’s crew list for 1830 the last Blacksmith we have listed was E. Griswold. We know that there was a Blacksmith’s Forge along the west side of the channel between lakes Micmac and Charles and it is very likely Mr. Griswold would have worked there. To find the remains of the Shop you walk on the west side of the waterway in Shubie Park. It is about half way between the Camp Ground and Lake Charles. Once you find the site you will be able to find out more about its use from the metal plaque which includes a written description as well as illustrations depicting the shop.
Do you know anyone in Dartmouth named Griswold? They may be related to a Canal worker. Let us know.
The Dartmouth Probus Club is a social club of active retired and semi-retired individuals. It provides members with regular opportunities to enjoy new friendships, expand interests and to stay connected to the community. They meet the first Thursday of the month at the Fairbanks Centre, 54 Locks Road, Dartmouth.
Coffee and socializing begins at 9:30am followed by wonderful speakers with fascinating and informative talks, and a brief business meeting. Speakers’ topics are chosen from suggestions of club members. They also have regular group outings for interested members, including tours of the Art Gallery, Museums, Pier 21 and participation in wine making and golf tournaments.
Probus is non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit and non-fund raising.
New members are always welcome. For more information, please email probus.dartmouth@gmail.com or come by for one of the monthly meetings.
Members of the Shubenacadie Canal Commission were delighted to see the recent launching of the wooden schooner in the Stewiacke River. Boating on this river, at the time of the Canal in the 1860s and 70s, was certainly more common than today. Loads of gypsum, bricks and wood were brought down the waterway to Halifax Harbour where they were used in the construction of new homes and offices. Similarly, supplies were shipped from Halifax/Dartmouth to the interior for use in the communities along the way. In order for vessels to make this journey from locations such as Stewiacke they had to pass through nine locks and be transported by two Marine Railways. Some of the Locks still exist and a replica of some components of the Marine Railway, from the Harbour to Sullivans Pond, will be built soon.
