Canso (left) is a town of superlatives but despite this it is not well known to people "from away." It is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Nova
Scotia, dating officially from 1604 and there was probably some sort of European fishery here 200 years earlier.
Canso's history predates not only Halifax, but also the
famous settlements of Port Royal NS and Jamestown VA USA. Much of
Canso's local history is on view at the Grassy Island Interpretive Center (right photo).
Canso is also the closest unfrozen corner of the North American mainland to Europe. Historical Note/Tounge-In-Cheek Department: There appears to be no connection between
Canso's unfrozen character, and the fact that during the American Revolution Captain John Paul Jones burned the town to the ground.
Grassy Island (left photo) is the site of the original settlement at Canso. The island itself can be visited with the local Parks Canada boat. My tour presented by Tom and Clarice of Parks Canada was both historically and visually interesting, and the weather cooperated in fine fashion. The displays on the island are the result of archaeological "digs" that have uncovered much historical detail (right photo).
When I arrived at
Canso friends Philip and Sharon introduced me to Sheila and Chris and their
extended family. Sheila was born in
Canso and kindly provided us with the "deluxe" tour one afternoon (photo right). We visited the Interpretive Center, the Whitman Museum, the house where Sheila was born (Sheila and her birthplace in the background at left), and managed a quick and delicious ice cream treat.
Later everyone gathered at Sheila's brother Berkeley's "shed" for food, drink and festivities (photo at right). Not a bad day at all.
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Canso (left) is a town of superlatives but despite this it is not well known to people "from away." It is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Nova Scotia, dating officially from 1604 and there was probably some sort of European fishery here 200 years earlier. Canso's history predates not only Halifax, but also the
famous settlements of Port Royal NS and Jamestown VA USA. Much of Canso's local history is on view at the Grassy Island Interpretive Center (right photo). Canso is also the closest unfrozen corner of the North American mainland to Europe. Historical Note/Tounge-In-Cheek Department: There appears to be no connection between Canso's unfrozen character, and the fact that during the American Revolution Captain John Paul Jones burned the town to the ground.
Grassy Island (left photo) is the site of the original settlement at Canso. The island itself can be visited with the local Parks Canada boat. My tour presented by Tom and Clarice of Parks Canada was both historically and visually interesting, and the weather cooperated in fine fashion. The displays on the island are the result of archaeological "digs" that have uncovered much historical detail (right photo).
When I arrived at Canso friends Philip and Sharon introduced me to Sheila and Chris and their 
extended family. Sheila was born in Canso and kindly provided us with the "deluxe" tour one afternoon (photo right). We visited the Interpretive Center, the Whitman Museum, the house where Sheila was born (Sheila and her birthplace in the background at left), and managed a quick and delicious ice cream treat.
Later everyone gathered at Sheila's brother Berkeley's "shed" for food, drink and festivities (photo at right). Not a bad day at all.
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