Though the bicycle got its start in Europe, it quickly arrived in Nova Scotia in the hands of the son of Mr. Poole, the owner of the Caledonia Mine. By 1868, cycling had made its mark on the province, largely thanks to the Hanlon Brothers of New…

According to a 1759 survey, the land now known as the Halifax Common was a swampy area at the base of the Citadel. Its original purpose was military defense, keeping the area around the Citadel clear in case of any enemy attack by land. In 1763,…

Born in 1897, John "Gee" Edward Ahern was educated at Saint Mary’s University before attending Law School at Dalhousie University. From there, he entered into the world of publishing and editing before launching his political career. He served as…

The South End Tennis Club's land was originally owned by wealthy New York businessman, John S. MacLean.MacLean was the son of a Scottish immigrant preacher, who was the head of the Bank of Nova Scotia from 1874 until his death in 1889. John S.…

Halifax’s Mayflower Curling Club has produced champion-quality curlers since its foundation in 1905. Notable among them were teams headed by Colleen Jones and Mark Dacey, both of whom cleaned-up competitions during their primes. But the Mayflower’s…

The game of quoits is recorded as having been played as early as 1762 on McNabs Island by British settlers – the earliest recorded use of the island for recreation. In addition to quoits, McNabs Island was also a gathering place for rowing clubs.…

Some of Nova Scotia's most prominent canoeing, kayak, and rowing athletes got their starts on Dartmouth's own Lake Banook. People of all ages enjoy paddling its waters, competing in regattas, and honing their skills. But the shining lake of…

The Halifax Public Gardens is surely one of the City of Halifax’s most recognizable historic places. The stunning sixteen acres bordered by Spring Garden Road, South Park Street, Summer Street and Sackville Street are right in the middle of city…

From 1907 to 1911, teams from Pictou County mining communities dominated the Nova Scotia Cricket League, prompting a Westville newspaper correspondent to describe the county as “the home of cricket.” Westville won the championship from 1907 to 1909,…

Nova Scotia has produced many great rowers and paddlers over the past 150 years. The tradition began in our seaside province back in the 1800s and continues today, though now more commonly on lakes and rivers with canoes and kayaks. The most…