Eastern Shore, Halifax County

Musquodoboit Harbour is both a body of water and a village, each taking their name from the Musquodoboit River which originates near the boundary between Halifax and Pictou counties. The river flows through the Musquodoboit Valley and exits into the Musquodoboit estuary, a harbour that is tidal and winding, making it difficult to navigate. The village of Musquodoboit Harbour was settled somewhat later than other communities along the Eastern Shore, possibly because its harbour was not ideal. Nevertheless, the river provided an excellent waterway for forestry operations, especially when dammed, and many mills (lumber, oat, grist) were established in the latter half of the 19th century along the river. The Logan & Sutherland mill, pictured here at the bend in the river as it empties into the estuary, operated into the early 1900s, eventually closing down, like many of the mills, due to a lack of available timber. While Musquodoboit Harbour did not have an ideal harbour, it was centrally located and became a stopping place for the mail coach, the CNR railway and tourists on hunting and fishing vacations.

Date: 18 August 1903

Reference:  Eastern Shore Archives D0067P038

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