Eastern Shore, Halifax County

Petpeswick Inlet is bordered on either side by the communities of East and West Petpeswick. In 1933 the celebrated folklorist, Helen Creighton, collected the “Nova Scotia Song”, later known as “Farewell to Nova Scotia”, from Annie (Bayers) Greenough of West Petpeswick, as well as many other folksongs from the residents on both sides of Petpeswick Inlet. Petpeswick Inlet is quite tidal, yet shipbuilding did take place on its shores. Shown here on the left is the vessel Alice and Nellie owned by Captain C.P. Young. On the right is the larger vessel Diamond Jubilee owned by the Ritcey Brothers. Both vessels were “coasters” which earned their keep by supplying groceries and other goods before the arrival of the railway, which had a station at nearby Musquodoboit Harbour. The Diamond Jubilee was later abandoned at the head of Petpeswick Inlet on the shore. In the background, to the left, is the Thompson property, and in the center is the George Anderson property, later owned by the Turners. This photo shows the original barn and homestead and to the right, a little building, which was a shop. The hills in the back were berry barrens where people picked blueberries.

Date: [ca. 1910]

Reference:  Eastern Shore Archives D0067P006

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