“STILL STANDING”…
Could our future, perhaps be in our past?
• Let us consider the evolution of our Bear River community during the past 150 years.
• In 1871, the areas that were to become Bear River were two separate communities; Hillsborough in Digby County, and Bridgeport in Annapolis County.
• In 1871, there were approximately ninety-two family names in the two areas. Presently, there are approximately twenty-nine family names from that time, still living and/or connected to Bear River.
• From 1871 to 1930, approximately thirty-two additional family names were added to the population. Of those, twenty-seven family names are still residents or are connected. This makes a total of approximately fifty-six family names that have been residents of our community over those years.
• At the time between 1871 and up until the 1930’s, a resident anticipating in shopping, visiting or socializing in the village center, would reference their excursion as going, “To the Bridge,” the hub of the community. This location was the center of activity, particularly up until the early 1900s.
• The hub of the community, with nine roads like the spokes of a wheel, supported industry and experienced great changes and development.
• The uniqueness of our Bear River did not and does not stop there. Where do you find a community with four tributaries and the mighty Bay of Fundy all joining together (at the head of the river), within half a kilometer radius? The ironic part is that, despite this natural water movement, we are still a village of limited water supply in the downtown.
• In reference to the nine roads, eight are still in existence. Many of our roads have been renamed; however we still have some originals like the Chute Road and the Bell Road.
• Perhaps our only true history connection to road names is now forgotten, that being the Imbert Hill Road, which present day is the extension of the River Road running past the Bear River Volunteer Fire Department.
• Also, our uniqueness includes two flats and a level. The historic flats are located at the present-day head of the tide, the site of the prior cooperage mill, and the Clarke flat by Clarke Marsh which is now home of Bear River Millyard Recreation Campground and Cottages.
• The level is located adjoining the Bear River Ball Field area along the Lansdowne Road, and was utilized as the shooting range for the First World War recruits.
• I guess to summarize this historical piece we need to ask, “Where else in Nova Scotia will you find a community on a tidal river with four tributaries, and eight roads of support and convenience?”
Could our future perhaps be in our past…
• A few days ago, a bulletin was released by Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, with a headline, ‘Exploring our Past’.
• To our delight, the third photo enclosed and the only photo of a heritage property in Nova Scotia was of the United Baptist Church steeple in Bear River, with its unique architecture and craftsmanship.
• Another comment that needs to be added is the unique architectural design and great display of the work of our ship carpenters, who built the church, back in 1859.
• This certainly is a true icon and has been so important in the lives of past generations in our community, as were the other churches of fellowship and worship.
• There were a concentration of four churches near our hub-Bridgeport and Hillsborough. They were The Baptist Church, The Methodist Church which was to become the United Church of Canada, The Advent Christian Church and The Church of England.
• The original Church of England building, unfortunately was destroyed by fire in 1934. The same night, The Academy burned. That night, the members of the Church of England sacrificed their church building to eliminate the spread of fire to downtown Bear River. The church is now located in the same location as the original.
• There was and still is also the Roman Catholic Chapel at the adjoining community of Bear River First Nations that was erected in 1834. We understand that it is the oldest Catholic house of worship this side of Halifax.
• Also, it should be mentioned that in regard to the Baptist Church and the Methodist Church, not only were they constructed with very impressive steeples, reaching into the heavens, but the foundations were all of cut granite, providing solid rock foundations. The granite works was an established business in Bear River.
• Below are partial lists of Bear River residents from the 1871 census. It only includes those family names that, at the time were living in the two communities of Bridgeport and Hillsborough. Also, only the male population is recorded and all have a listed occupation.
• It could be interesting for all to check the list to see if your family name is there.
• Has the mooring line of your family been severed, or is it still holding?
Our Bear River Names and Descriptions of our Past
As described by another, “It leaves you barren of words, either for description or appreciation.”
References are as follows:
The Switzerland of Nova Scotia
The Tidal Village
The Village on Stilts
A Place Like No Other
Artisan Community
Cherry Town
Another reference also is “a thriving place.”
Quoted from Picturesque Bear River, pre-1900: “the Rhine of Nova Scotia and the village itself, parts of which are cradled so lovingly in the sheltered valleys, while the rest is perched high upon the surrounding hills and has been appropriately named the “Jewel of Nova Scotia.”
River names in keeping are as follows:
The Rhine of Nova Scotia
L’sikik Elestuk as named by the Mi’kmaw
Riviere St. Antoine
Riviere de Hebert
History tells of a major decline in our economy between 1910-1920, followed by the collapse of the Clarke Brothers Pulp Mill. Bear River then redefined itself as a picturesque retreat from the modern world. The 1925 Bear River Board of Trade distributed literature to tourism groups in Canada and the US. Quoting, “Words cannot describe the very loveliness of Bear Rivers valleys nor the lofty grandeur of the towering hills, crowned with the well-tilled farms or ever-green forest.”
Ninety-seven years later, the majority of that quote is still valid. How privileged are we to have an opportunity to build on our undefinable beauty, as expressed above by the great variety of names.
Ask yourselves the question, “Is there any other village in Nova Scotia that can boast at having their location, historic past and artistic present proclaimed in such a manner as Bear River? Many have been inspired; residents, visitors, artists and authors.
Another question is, “How many communities have had six history books published all in regards to a colorful and industrial past?”
History of our past and the general acknowledgement of our unique grandeur, if utilized, can dictate our future if brought to the attention of visitors, residents, and entrepreneurs.
We are very fortunate in our Bear River area to have established vineyards and wineries. These major investments contribute to the growth and public exposure of our community.
All the above has dealt primarily with our past. Our present time is of course experienced by all. Let us be proud of our community and present it to others with sincerity.
Theatre of Life - Past, Present and Future…
Perhaps our future is in our past. From the late 1700’s onward, it was the vast forest and the dedicated industrious development from our to-be Bear River community that water and steam-power mills became common. Timber was sawed to supply the need of the thriving and growing ship-building industry, along with the construction of homes and community structures.
The first vessel built was ‘The Hornet’ in 1832; the last was ‘The Castano’ in 1901.
In our Bear River valley we are so blessed with a great variety of trees. Of all the species of oak trees in Canada, only the red oak is native to Nova Scotia. We also have white oak here in Southwest Nova Scotia.
In 1783, there was no mention of our oak, until a military surveyor reported finding “many groves of oak on the ground to the east of the river.” He reported, “…ten fathoms long, and a girth of a fathom round and more, and equal in worth to any oak I have seen in Asham.”
(Asham is south of Sherwood Forest in England and quoted excerpt is from Heritage Remembered by Foster Hall).
Perhaps our beloved red oak of Oakdene School is one of that mentioned grove. It is documented as being 294 inches in circumference and approximately 60 feet tall, and being rated as one of the largest in Nova Scotia. In any case, our school oak memories could possibly be more lasting than our hours in the classroom.
Our oak logs, because of their strength were used in our shipbuilding industry up until the turn of the 20th century. Oak from Bear River was still being used during the Second World War in boat yards in nearby Clare.
Our other noted tree, never to be forgotten in Bear River, is the cherry tree that was brought here from England by William Sutherland in the 1780s. It was planted on the flat above Clarke Marsh.
Seventy-five years ago there was an abundance of cherry trees of several varieties. There were Whitehearts, Oxhearts and Black cherries, to name a few.
Before 1900, our Cherry Carnival came in to being, and has been one of the longest time running festivals in Nova Scotia, with the exception of the interval during the Second World War.
In 1902, the first Provincial Department of Agriculture set up a model cherry orchard to encourage the interest and the fame of Bear River cherries.
Before discussing individual types of trees, it needs to be said that trees, along with industrious hardworking people, determined the establishment and growth of our community.
Another tree listed in history is the poplar tree, brought here by German Mercenary soldiers. Varying shades of yellow add to our fall foliage. Poplar is used in the manufacturing of furniture, wooden toys and plywood, and is considered the least expensive of hardwoods.
Tamarack-Hackmatack trees are native to our area as having a long life when used as poles, posts, and exterior deck material. The high density wood is rot-resistant and thrives in our climate.
In the shipbuilding age, the Hackmatack knees were in high demand- the root at right angle to the trunk.
Stepping to the past ten years ago, while on the deck of the Charles W. Morgan, a local guide asked where I was from. I told him I was from Nova Scotia. He told me that his family was from Yarmouth and continued visiting annually.
The Charles W. Morgan that was originally built in 1841, in Mystic, Connecticut was in the process of being refurbished. He indicated that they were unable to find large Tamarack knees required for completion. I told him to try looking in Nova Scotia.
Black Locust trees presently can be seen in downtown Bear River and are known for the density of the wood and the resistance to rot. The BTU rating is among the highest. In Hungary, Black locust is the basis of commercial honey production. It is currently being planted in Halifax as their street tree because of its durability.
Locust trees are common in the Caribbean where, in the past, we had trading partners, resulting in the most likely way they were established here.
We can also find Locust trees by our lighthouse at the mouth of the river.
White Ash is considered the prime species of North American Ash. It is prized for being hard, strong, high in shock-resistance with excellent bending qualities.
There are so many varieties of trees that grow readily in our community. To name a few, we should note first that the Red Spruce is the tree of Nova Scotia. There are Sugar Maple, Birch, Beech, Sumac, Pine, Chestnut, Hemlock.
There are many of those in our area that have had a lifetime experience in the harvesting of trees and the use of the wood. We must remember that the First Nation peoples certainly gained and utilized their knowledge of our forests long before our presence.
There are those that have a passion to work with wood in capacities of construction or crafts, thus gaining that satisfaction of completion.
Also to be considered is the extensive use of our trees in the lumber and pulpwood businesses
This tree article is just a highlight, and although we now have less forest to cut, there are still abundant opportunities. For example, in the Business section of the February 5 Edition of Nova Scotia’s The Chronicle Herald, Burning Desire of Niche Market, an entrepreneur is creating board games on wood with a special technique. This is just one of many possible initiatives.
This tree article suggests three possible action:
1. Call upon the Department of Agriculture to set up a model Cherry Tree Orchard as they did 120 years ago, to initiate cherry tree planting in our back yards.
2. Investigate the opportunity in small communities to be part of Crown land development. They are now accepting requests for proposals.
3. Planting locust trees to utilize for specialty projects.