HalifaxCountyNSGenWeb Project

Download Essentials

Designed and Maintained with registered versions of Webstyle 4.0 and Photomix 5.0, and Frontpage 2000.

HALIFAX COUNTY
Peggy's Cove

LOCATION:

Situated between Indian Harbour and West Dover, Peggy's Cove is accessible by Route #333.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

The fishing village of Peggy's Cove at the entrance to St. Margaret's Bay was originally known simply as Eastern Point Harbour because it is situated at the eastern side of the bay. Eventually it was changed to Peggy's Cove, perhaps in honour of the wife of one of the first settlers, an Irishman by the name of William Rogers. Apparently, he did not stay long but moved on to a land grant on Caribou Island in Pictou County.

There is a romantic folktale that offers another explanation concerning how the cove got its name. Young Peggy was travelling by ship to Halifax to meet her fianc� when her ship foundered on the rocks. She was rescued by local folk who took care of her. When one would go visit her, they would say they were going to see "Peggy of the Cove." Though a nice story to believe there is no evidence to substantiate either this or the tale of William Roger's wife. What is more, a deed issued to six families in 1809 names the area Peggy's Cove but records that no one was living there at the time.

SETTLEMENT HISTORY:

Six families - two Troop (Troup) brothers, three Isenhauer (Isnor) brothers, and a man by the name of Kayzer - divided the land around the cove into six lots, which were further divided and now twenty-five families live in the village. Many are related to families in Indian Harbour or Hackett's Cove, with such names as Manuel, Crooks, Croucher, Daubin and Garrison.

FAMOUS RESIDENT:

A most famous resident of Peggy's Cove was William deGarthe, an artist and sculptor who had emigrated from Finland. He often came to the cove to paint marine life, the residents of the cove and their way of life. In 1954, he bought a home at the head of the Cove, which today serves as an art gallery displaying his work. He also carved a memorial to the courage of the fishermen living in the cove. The sculpture, which took him ten years to complete, covers a 30-metre granite outcrop of rock in his backyard. Depicted are St. Michael, guardian angle of fishermen, several fishermen, their wives and children, Peggy of the Cove, and deGarthe's pet seagull Joe. The Provincial Government now maintains the upkeep of the William E. deGarth Memorial Park.

THE PEGGY'S COVE LIGHTHOUSE:

The lighthouse at Peggy's Cove is probably the most photographed in the world. It was built in 1914 and today serves as a post office for tourists during the summer months. The lighthouse is unmanned but the light still burns to warn sailors of the rocky coastline.

PEGGY'S COVE TODAY:

Peggy's Cove was only kilometers from the site of a tragic plane crash in 1998 in which all 229 passengers and crew of Swissair Flight 101 were killed. The residents of the small community heroically pooled all their energies and resources into the massive search effort, and were greatly affected by the tragedy.

An official memorial was erected at the site of the crash for mourners and visitors who wish to pay their respects to the passengers and crew of the flight.



© 1999-2004 by Halifax County NS Canada GenWeb and/or it's contributors
RETURN TO NOVA SCOTIA GENWEB

Halifax County Genweb Project gratefully acknowledges the following sources:

Historical Information on many community pages is from : One City...Many Communities" co - published by Halifax Regional Municipality and Nimbus, funded By the HRM Millennium Committee.Author : Alfreda Withrow.

Mapeeze: Free map linking on Destination Nova Scotia.

WebSite Maintained Robert Spencer and Spencer Business Solutions Ltd. 

Best viewed at 800x 600 resolution and higher and Internet explorer 5.0 and above.

This website is hosted by Rootsweb