Place Names and Places - R - W


Place Names and Places
R - W

RUSSIA
This settlement is located on the south side of the mouth of Minas Channel in west-central Nova Scotia. It was probably named after the country Russia. Saw mills were built on the creeks running through the settlement to provide the main source of income. Fishing is a more recent industry.

SCOTS BAY
This settlement is located on the east side of Scots Bay in central Nova Scotia. The early version of the name was Scotch Bay, a name given for a ship load of Scottish immigrants who were driven ashore here in a storm, stayed for a winter and departed. Three or four families settled here about 1764 among whom were people named Andrews and Loomer.

James Christy was schoolmaster here in 1838. A school-house was sold at auction in 1865. By 1869 there were two new schools in the settlement. In 1914 North and South Scots Bay built a two-room consolidated school.

A postal way office was established in 1855.

Lumbering, fishing, shipbuilding, (until 1918) and milling have been important industries. The first mill was built about 1783.

Population in 1956 was : Scots bay, 185, Scots Bay Road, 162.

SELFRIDGE CORNERS
This settlement is located about five miles east of Kings-Annapolis County line and six miles south of the Bay of Fundy shore in west-central Nova Scotia. It was probably named for early settlers. The land was part of a five thousand acre grant made to James Morden on September 10th, 1783.

Farming is the basic industry.

SHEFFIELD MILLS
This rural area is located on the Upper Habitant Creek in central Nova Scotia. It was named for the Sheffield family who were early settlers. Mason and Frank A. Sheffield acquired land here on what was the site of Stephen Chase and Company Mills, or Mills Montique, probably in the late 18th century.

John Mills was schoolmaster here in 1829.

A postal way office was established here in 1855.

Farming and fishing have been the basic industries. In May, 1959, a cold storage plant owned by Archibald Farms Ltd., burned down. The M.W. Graves Ltd., fruit processing plant was probably built in the early 20th century.

Population in 1956 was 244.

SOMERSET
This rural area is located about seven miles south of the mouth of the Minas Channel in west-central Nova Scotia. It was probably named in honor of Rev. William Sommerville, a Congregational minister, who made his headquarters here about 1840. Due to the modesty of the minister, however, the name Sommerville was altered to Somerset, the name of a place in England. Matthew Fraser reputedly was an early settler, probably sometime during the first two decades of the 19th century.

Rev. Sommerville and the Reformed congregation of West Cornwallis erected a church building in 1842-43. The Pleasant Valley Baptist meeting house was built about 1828 and was used until a new Baptist Church was built in Berwick in 1857-58.

A school was built sometime early in the 19th century. The new Somerset District Elementary School was built in 1963.

A postal way office was established in 1863.

Farming is the basic industry.

Population in 1956 was 144.

SOUTH ALTON
See ALTON

STARRS POINT
This rural area is located about halfway between the mouth of the Canard River and the mouth of the Cornwallis River in central Nova Scotia. It was named for the Starr family who were early settlers. A nearby point was called by the Indians, "Nesogwitk," eel point or "Nesoogwitk" "extending out between two rivers." Major Samuel Starr was one of the leaders of the planters who came from Norwich, Conn. He took up one thousand acres of land in Cornwallis township and built his house on Budrot's Point about 1760-65, naming it "Edgemere." Acacia Grove the house was built by the Hon. Charles Ramage Prescott about 1799 was restored by Miss Mary Allison Prescott in 1930-34.

Farming is the basic industry in the area. The tourist industry also adds income.

Population in 1956 was 171.

STEAM MILL VILLAGE
This rural area is located about three miles north of Kentville in central Nova Scotia. It was named for steam mills operating there in the 19th century. Settlement probably began in this area soon after Cornwallis township was established in 1761.

In 1959 the Baptist organization had a field church here.

A postal way office was established in 1860.

Farming and milling have been the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was 370.

THE LOOKOFF
This spot is on the highest point of land in the Pereau-Blomidon area about one and one-half miles north-west of the Pereau River in central Nova Scotia. Its name was derived from the fact that the elevation makes it a place from great distances can be seen in clear weather.

In the late 19th century there were two houses in the immediate areas owned by E. Newcomb and P. Lynch.

Farming is the main industry.

TREMONT
This settlement is located south of Kingston and about five miles north of Cloud Lake and about one mile east of the Kings-Annapolis County line in west-central Nova Scotia. Its name given on October 20, 1856, probably originated in New England. "Tremont", a shortened form of trimountaine (three mountains), being the original name given to Peninsualr Boston. A variation Treemont, would lead to the explanation that the name was given because of natural features. An early name for South Tremont was Conquerall.

Tremont was part of a three thousand acre grant made to John Terry on December 22, 1771. South Tremont was granted five members of the Bayard family on February 22, 1803. The occupations of the early settlers were lumbering and milling.

A Baptist Church was built in 1851. It burned in February, 1871 and a new Church was built in 1873. The Baptist congregation held services in the Bethel school-house after a revival in 1828-29. It replaced a building erected before 1856.

Lumbering and farming are the main industries.

Population in 1956 was 205.

UPPER CANARD
See CANARD

UPPER DYKE
This rural area is located about four miles north of Kentville and near the source of the Canard River in central Nova Scotia. It was so named because it was the location of the "upper" dyke or the dyke furtherest upstream on the Canard River. There had been a French Acadian settlement near the Gibson's Woods road. In 1760 the New England Planters began to arrive and in 1761 the grantees of the land in this area were: William Woodworth, William Canady, Elisha Parker, James Johnston and Ebenezer Bill.

A Campbellite or Church of Christ Disciples Meeting House was built just south of Upper Dyke Village about mid-19th century.

John Kinsman was schoolmaster here from December, 1828 to June, 1829.

A postal way office was opened at Upper Dyke Village in 1857.

Farming is the main industry.

Population in 1956 was 97.

VERNON MINES
This settlement is located about four miles south of Halls Harbour in central Nova Scotia. It was named for mines and for the propritor who located them. This land was a part of Cornwallis township which was established in 1761.

A postal way office was established on June 1, 1872, with John R. Ilsley as postmaster.

Farming and lumbering are the basic industries.

VESUVIUS
This rural area is located on the Black River in central Nova Scotia. It was named after Mount Vesuvius, the famous volcano on the Bay of Naples in Italy. An early name which is still used in the mid 20th century was Black River. Vesuvius is the postal address. The site of this area was part of the Horton Township grant which was made in 1759 and 1761.

The United Baptist Church was built and opened in 1859.

A new school was built at Black River in 1871.

Farming and lumbering are the basic industries.

Population of Black River in 1956 was 162.

VICTORIA HARBOUR
This rural area is located between Morden and Harbourville and about one mile south of the harbour of that name on the Fundy shore of Nova Scotia. It was named in honor of Queen Victoria. William Brenton and John Haliburton received an 850 acre grant here on July 10, 1786. Settlement probably began in the early 19th century.

A postal way office was established on January 1, 1869, with John Orpin as postmaster.

Fishing and farming are the industries.

Population in 1956 was 104.

VIEWMOUNT
This rural area is located about five miles south of Harbourville in west central Nova Scotia. Its name was prompted by its position on the north mountain which gives its residents an excellent view of the upper Cornwallis Valley.

Lumbering and farming are the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was 58.

WALLBROOK
This rural area is located about four miles upstream from the mouth of the Gaspereau River in central Nova Scotia. The name "Walls Brook" is probably derived from an early settler. The site was the location of the Acadian village of Melanson. In 1759 and 1761 this land was part of the Horton Township grant. In 1794 John Bishop, Jr. had a farm here which was a place of accommodation for travellers. In 1910 one of the estates was that of Sir Robert Tinton Weatherbe's "St. Eulalie."

A new Baptist meeting house was opened here in 1852.

Farming is the main industry.

Population in 1956 was 138.

WATERVILLE
This village is located near the sources of the Cornwallis River in central Nova Scotia. The name is descriptve of a village near the water or river. It was given by the inhabitants at a meeting held on November 21, 1871, at the request of the Way Office keeper. The former name was Pineo Village. This land was part of the Cornwallis township which was granted first on May 22, 1759, then again on July 21, 1761.

A Presbyterian Church was opened on September 29, 1849. It became the Church hall when the new St. Andrew's Presbyterian (afterwards United) Church was erected in 1923. A Baptist church was erected in 1895.

Isaac Webster was schoolmaster here from June to December, 1828. New school-houses were built in 1870 and in 1923. In 1902 a school was completed at South Waterville.

A postal way office was established in 1861. A new Post Office building was erected in 1958-59.

The new Kings County Mental Hospital was opened on August 22, 1962, replacing the old hospital which was erected about 1927.

Farming and poultry raising are major industries. Archibald farms Ltd. Erected two new hen houses in 1959.

Population in 1956 was 1,151.

WELTON
This rural area is located at the north-east corner of Gaspereau Lake in central Nova Scotia. It was named after an early settler. Thomas Taggart, Charles Randall and James Wall were Horton township proprietors who received title to the land in this area.

A postal way office was established at Walton in 1857, but this became "Welton" in 1859 and continued to operate until 1864. The post office name was probably changed because of a conflict with Walton in Hants County.

In the late 19th century Moore's Mills was the prominent industry in the village.

WELTON'S CORNER
This rural area is located six miles south-east of Morden and six miles south of Victoria Harbour. It was probably named for early settlers from Annapolis County. The land was part of a five thousand acre grant made to James Morden on September 10, 1783, but settlement probably didn't begin until the early 19th century.

Farming and lumbering are the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was 102.

WEST BROOKLYN
See BROOKLYN

WESTON
This settlement is situated about three miles north-west of Berwick in west-central Nova Scotia. It was so named by the inhabitants on November 16, 1859, probably after a place in England. The land was a part of Cornwallis township which was set up in 1761. Settlement probably began in the early 19th century.

A school-house built here was condemned in 1891.

Farming is the basic industry.

Population in 1956 was 179.

WHITE ROCK
This village is located where the Black River flows into the Gaspereaux River in central Nova Scotia. The Indian name for this part of the Gaspereau River was probably Magapskegechk, "tumbling over large rocks." The English name was probably given because of the waterfalls in the area creating "white water" rushing over the rocks. The community of White Rock Mills was founded by people interested in the lumbering industry, probably in the early 19th century. The Bishop family was prominent here in the late 19th century.

Before the Baptist Church was completed in 1881 a public building in the village served as school, church and temperance hall.

A postal way office was opened at White Rock Mills in July, 1873, with Augustus Freeman as postmaster.

Lumbering and milling have been the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was: White Rock, 173, White Rock Mills, 109.

WHITE ROCK MILLS
See WHITE ROCK

WHITE'S CORNER
This rural area is located on Upper Canada Creek near the Fundy Shore of Nova Scotia. It was probably named after early settlers. Farming and lumbering are the basic industries.

WOLFVILLE
This town is located south of the mouth of the Cornwallis River in central Nova Scotia. The Indian name was Mtaban, meaning "mud-cat-fish ground." The town site was part of the area designated as Upper Horton and was originally called Mud Creek by the Planters. The name was changed in 1829 from Upper Horton Post office to Wolfville because of the prominence of the DeWolf family.

Early in the 18th century, there were some Acadian settlers in the area. In 1760 the Planters from New England arrived. The Mud Creek area was settled soon afterwards. Among the earliest residents were Obediah Wickwire, James Woodman, Daniel DeWolf, Daniel Bigelow and Edward DeWolf. In April, 1893, there was a movement to change the name again. Several names were suggested with "Minas" as the most popular choice. A meeting was called but the old name, "Wolfville" was sustained by vote. The town was incorporated in 1893 with E. Perry Bowles as first mayor.

St. John's Anglican Church was opened on June 14, 1818 and was consecrated on August 10, 1826. Possibly there was a Baptist or community hall here as early as 1785. A Baptist meeting house was erected about 1815-1820. A new church was completed in 1859, opened on January 15, 1860. The most recent church was deicated in October, 1912. A Roman Catholic Church was erected sometime after 1853. It was destroyed by fire in 1875 and the new St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1883. A Methodist Church was erected 1859-60, sold and dismantled in 1923. A Presbyterian Church was built during the ministry of Rev. Robert Sommerville, prior to 1840, moved in 1855, and burned down in 1913. The new Presbyterian Church, which became St. Andrew's United was dedicated October 11, 1914. The Tabernacle, non-denominational, was dedicated in March, 1903. The frame of a Reformed Presbyterian Church was erected in July, 1867.

A Public School building was erected in 1867. A new Academy was built in 1874-75. In 1921 the town voted $40,000. For the erection of a new school. In March, 1956, a new High School was opened. Another new high school was built in 1965.

On May 1, 1829, Horton Academy, designed for the education of Baptist young men, was opened. On January 20, 1839, the classes of "Queens College" began in the Academy building. A charter was granted and the name was changed to Acadia University in 1841. A college building was completed and ladies seminary was formally opened in 1879. Carnegie Hall was renovated in 1960. Elliot Hall, housing the Chemistry Department was completed in 1960. Chipman Hall, men's residence was completed in 1961. Dennis House , women's residence was completed in 1962. The Student's Union building was also completed in 1962. The Fred C. Manning Memorial Chapel was built in 1963. H.C. Vaughan Memorial Library was constructed in 1964-65. The University Radio station began broadcasting in the late 1920's as CKIC. It gave up its license in 1940, but went on the air again in 1959 for a half hour per week. A new dining hall was finished in 1965.

In 1858 a ladies seminary was opened in a building which later became the Royal Hotel. Rev. John Chase was headmaster and the institution known for ten years as Grand Pre Seminary. In 1872, it was moved to the University grounds, and in 1879, the new seminary building was completed and the name Acadia Seminary was given to the institution.

About 1829 the Horton Way Office was established here with Elisha DeWolf as postmaster. In 1841, this became a Post Office. About 1912 a new Post Office building was erected.

Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital was opened on May 27, 1930. The cornerstone of the new Masonic Temple was laid October 26, 1961. The Randall House was restored and opened as a museum in the spring of 1949.

Newspapers published in Wolfville were: A Small Sheet of which only a few copies were printed by Campbell Stevens in 1859; The Acadian, published by Major and William Theakson, 1866-1869; The Acadian Athenaeum, published by Acadia University students from 1874; The Young Acadian, 1881, which became the Acadian and Kings County Record in November, 1884, and published by Arthur S. and B. O. Davison; The New Star published by A.J. Pineo about 1884-85, then in Kentville, 1885-91, where Dr. F.H. Eaton changed its name to The Advertiser in 1892. The Windsor Forward and the Maritime Baptist were also dated in Wolfville for short periods.

The railway bridge was built over Mud Creek in 1868. The first train ran from Annapolis to Wolfville on June 26, 1869.

Stores, hotels, garages, etc. have been the main places of business. Kent Foods Limited established in Canning in 1946, put a half million dollar plant into operation in Wolfville in October 1963. In June , 1964, Holland Bakery Limited closed down after twenty-eight years in business.

Population in 1961 was 2413. Population of Lower Wolfville in 1956 was 250 and Wolfville Ridge was 100.

WOODSIDE
This rural area is located about five miles south of Bennett Bay and about three miles from canning. It was probably so named because it was situated beside a wood or small forest. One of the chief resorts of the Indians was about the heads of the rivers, and in this general area are the old sources of the Pereau and Habitant Rivers.

Farming and lumbering are the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was 167.

WOODVILLE
This rural area is located near the sources of the Cornwallis River and about six miles west of Kentville in central Nova Scotia. It was probably named "Woodville" because of a "wood" or small forest nearby or perhaps in honor of an early settler.

The post office is called Kinsmans Corners.

In 1942 a new school-house was erected to replace one that had burned down.

Farming and lumbering are the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was 199.


� Dr. C. B. Ferguson and Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management
Transcribed by: Susan Gowen




This Page Last Updated: October 26, 2001.
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