Springhill, Nova Scotia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Springhill
other_name =
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settlement_type = Town
motto =


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image_caption = Main Street, Springhill


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image_blank_emblem = Springhill_ns_logo.jpg
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pushpin_label_position = none
pushpin_map_caption = Location of Springhill in Nova Scotia
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = NS
subdivision_type2 = Municipality
subdivision_name2 = Cumberland County
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Guy Brown
leader_title1 = Governing Body
leader_name1 = Springhill Town Council
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
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established_title = Founded
established_date = 1790
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = March 30, 1889
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
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area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 11.15
area_land_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total = 3,941
population_density_km2 = 366.8
population_density_sq_mi =
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timezone = AST
utc_offset = -4
timezone_DST =
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latd=45 |latm=40 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=64 |longm=4 |longs= |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 198.73
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = B0M
area_code = 902
blank_name =Telephone Exchange
blank_info = 597, 763
blank1_name =Median Earnings*
blank1_info =$29,037
blank2_name = NTS Map
blank2_info = 021H09
blank3_name = GNBC Code
blank3_info = CBKDH
website = [http://town.springhill.ns.ca/ http://town.springhill.ns.ca/]
footnotes = *Median household income, 2000 ($) (all households)

Part of a series about Places in Nova Scotia

Springhill (2006 population 3941http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=1211008&Geo2=PR&Code2=12&Data=Count&SearchText=springhill&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Springhill Community Profile versus other Canadian cities] ) is a Canadian town in central Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.

In early records, the town was called "Springhill Mines." Coal mining lead to the establishment and growth of the town, and until the 1960s, it was the town's only significant economic activity. Springhill was incorporated in 1889, and had an 1896 population of 4901. The town is famous for both the Springhill Mining Disaster and being the childhood home of international recording star Anne Murray. The Anne Murray Centre, located in town, is a local tourist attraction.

Geography

Located on the highest ground between Minas Basin and Northumberland Strait, in the Cobequid Mountains, Springhill has an elevation varying from 140 to 185 metres above sea level. Located in the carboniferous area on the southern side of the Cumberland Coal Basin, Springhill's six main coal seams overlie one another. The seams, separated by strata of sandstone and shale from eleven to one hundred and ten meters thick, were once horizontal, but, because they were raised by internal earth movement, now slope sharply down into the earth. The seams dip to the northwest at an angle of thirty-five degrees.

Coal In Springhill

which operated in the industrial park from the 1870s to 1958. Coal was so prevalent that "there was a time when men got coal out of their backyards; shallow pits were found everywhere. In recent years, there have been instances when a homeowner would step out of his door only to find a big gapping hole where his driveway had been. Another part of an old mine had caved in." [ [http://www.sybertooth.ca/shg/index.htm Springhill Heritage Group - Springhill Cumberland County Nova Scotia Canada ] ] Some of the workings were a mile underground, making them among the deepest coal mines in the world.

Springhill was the site of three devastating mining disasters, or bumps. When a "bump," or underground upheaval, occurred in the mines, they would be felt in the homes on the surface. The third and last of bump resulted in the permanent closure of all major mining in the region. However, small operations lasted until the 1970s.

pringhill after coal

(65°F) by the surrounding earth. Beginning in the late 1980s, this heat source has been exploited by companies located in Springhill's industrial park, situated on the land where the surface facilities of the coal mines were located, reducing winter heating bills substantially.

The provincial and federal government offered assistance and a federal medium-security Penitentiary, the Springhill Institution [http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/facilit/institutprofiles/springhill_e.shtml] was built in the community in an effort to boost the economy.

Other companies, such as world leader in lead-acid battery manufacturing Surrette Battery [ [http://www.surrette.com Surrette ] ] and Benjamin Heating Products [ [http://www.benjaminheating.com/ Benjamin Heating Products, Springhill, NS, Canada ] ] continue to operate in the town.

Christian Child Care International is headquartered in the town. With over 35,000 children sponsored it is the largest Catholic child sponsorship program in Canada. [ [http://www.ccare.ca/ Sponsor a Child - Chalice - A Catholic Sponsorship and Relief Program ] ]

ee also

* Springhill Mining Disaster

References

External links

* [http://www.sybertooth.ca/shg/ Springhill Heritage Group]
* [http://www.town.springhill.ns.ca Official Town of Springhill, Nova Scotia Website]
* [http://www.centralnovascotia.com Central Nova Tourist Association - official website]
* [http://ns1763.ca/cumberco/sprhillwarm.html Photographs of the War Memorial monument, Springhill]