Georges Island (Nova Scotia)
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Georges Island is a glacial drumlin and the largest island entirely within the harbour limits of Halifax Harbour located in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.
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[edit] History
It was originally named "Ile a la Raquette" which means Snowshoe Island, then briefly "Ile d'Enville". In 1749, the island was named "George Island" after King George II, and then finally, in 1963, it was renamed "Georges Island". Georges Island was part of the "Halifax Defence Complex" from the mid-18th century to the Second World War, with Citadel Hill and Fort Charlotte on the island being restored by Parks Canada. For nearly two hundred years Georges Island was the scene of constant military activity. Tales of executions, forts and hidden tunnels surround the folklore associated with the mysterious island. It had an Island Prison Camp, a Look Out Point, an Acadian Prison camp, and a Quarantine Station.
[edit] Today
Although not yet open to the public, it has been named a National Historic Site, and its fortifications named Fort Charlotte are currently undergoing restoration by the federal heritage department. Anyone wishing to visit must have permission from the Canadian Government. Besides Fort Charlotte, the Canadian Coast Guard operates an unmanned radar station (since 1977) and a lighthouse (since 1876[1]). Georges Island is known to local fisherman to have lots of blueberries and black garter snakes[2]. Georges Island has the highest ratio of snakes per land area in the world[citation needed]. The "Great Offshore Picnic" takes place once a year on Georges Island. In the summer of 2006 the lighthouse was used by the U.S. Navy in training exercises. The island is part of Halifax Regional Municipality District 12. In addition to the ruins of Fort Charlotte, the island also has a prominent concrete lighthouse, built in 1918 which replaced an earlier tower built in 1876. The light-keeper's house remains standing a few hundred feet to the south.[1]
[edit] List of Lighthouse Keepers
- 1876–1920 Ross, Robert
- 1920–1946 Nolan, W.H.
- 1921 Ross, S.
- 1921 Ross, J.
- 1946 Bedgood, H.J.
- 1946 Edwards, E.J.
- 1946–1964 Matthews, Victor Maynard
- 1964–1972 Barkhouse, D.D.
After 1972 the lighthouse was automated. Then in 2005 the foghorn was decommissioned.
[edit] References
- Marshall, Dianne (2003). Georges Island The keep of Halifax Harbour. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-55109-475-4 — goes into detail the history of the island
[edit] External links
- Georges Island National Historic Site of Canada
- Georges Island Lighthouse History at the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society
- Satellite Image of George's Island
- Aerial Photos of Halifax and Surounding Area (www.avinova.ca)
