History of Greenwood, Nova Scotia

There's so much history to learn it's amazing. Unlike other areas of Canada, Greenwood and the Annapolis Valley area has been settled for hundreds of years. Greenwood, where we live, was settled in 1770. Here's the info according to the village Of Greenwood's official website.

" Greenwood has a complex history. The area was settled by Loyalists in the 1770's in the aftermath of the American Revolution, when approximately 60,000 Loyalists migrated to Canada in support of the Crown. Present day Greenwood was originally two communities, Greenwood Square, so named because of the majestic pine trees, and the popularity of the name among Loyalists, and the original Kingston Village (not to be confused with Kingston Station which was two kilometres North). This community, built between the Fales and Annapolis Rivers was the commercial hub of the area serving rural farmers from Tremont, Harmony, and North Kingston and Melvern Square, furniture stores, blacksmith and cooperage shops as well as sawmills, a post office and several other shops, served the residents until the arrival of the railway line in the 1870's.

In 1940, Greenwood was selected as the site to built the Royal Air Force training base because of the topography of the land, and the fog free climate. A total of fifteen parcels of land totalling some 672.67 acres was purchased from local landowners. Later more land was purchased as the base expanded to accommodate the housing requirements of the personnel. Construction began in the fall of 1941 for building RAF Station Greenwood to train aviators for the second World War. The RAF Station became the RCAF Station in 1944 and in 1968 the station became Canadian Forces Base Greenwood.

The base brought prosperity to the Annapolis Valley and Greenwood in particular. Greenwood incorporated under the Village Services in 1961 and assumed the name Village of Greenwood. Once again Greenwood is the commercial hub of Western Kings. "

Well there you have it, a little flavour of the history of the area. As mentioned before, there are houses still occupied in the area that are 250 years old. It makes for an interesting drive around to look at farms that have been working the same fields for generations and to see old stone buildings and cemeteries by the score right on the main roads all through the valley. I guess when you've been settled as long as this area, the graveyards get a bit full.

Other amazing features are the tides on the Bay of Fundy. I know I've talked about them before but I found a good vodeo on YouTube that illustrates the tides here. On the coast the harbours are right up at the high tide line with the beach between them and the bay so in the video you don't see that the tide keeps going out over the rocks and sand for quite a long way before coming back in and eventually making it into the harbour again. I'll have to see about getting some pics for you. Enjoy the video, long (10 mins) but interesting.



But right now I have to go to bed. I have some shopping to do in the morning and then an appointment here at the house at 11 am with the Welcome Wagon. But more about that tomorrow.