Bridgetown, Nova Scotia

Bridgetown (2006 pop.: 972) is a Canadian town in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.

Situated on the Annapolis River at the head of the tide, the area saw Mi'kmaq settlements in the area, followed by Acadian settlers from Port-Royal and then British-sponsored settlements by the late 1700s.

The first recorded settler in what is now Bridgetown came in 1783, following the American Revolutionary War. The community grew into a successful wooden shipbuilding area during the 19th century, accounting for many grand homes; it was incorporated in 1897.

The Windsor and Annapolis Railway constructed the mainline between Windsor and Annapolis Royal through the area in the 1870s, crossing over the Annapolis River on a bridge on the south side of the town; the community derives its name from this river crossing. This railway eventually was merged into the Dominion Atlantic Railway and served the town until 1990. The Middleton and Victoria Beach Railway was constructed through the north end of the town in the early 1900s and this line under the ownership of Canadian National Railway served the town until 1982.

Various small industries clustered around the DAR station and small railway yard on the south bank of the river, including a brick plant and soda pop factory. Today there is little industry in the area, with the passenger station now hosting the " [http://www.endofthelinepub.com/ End of The Line Pub] ", as well as a Nova Scotia Power substation.

The north side of the town hosts the former Acadian Distillery factory, which closed in the early 1980s. The Bridgetown High School and elementary school are located in the east end of the town. The historic downtown fronting Queen Street underwent redevelopment and beautification during the 1980s.

Bridgetown is roughly equidistant between Middleton and Annapolis Royal. Trunk 1 runs through the town on Granville Street. During the 1980s, Highway 101 was extended to Bridgetown, terminating at an interchange with Trunk 1. This highway was extended in the early 1990s through to Annapolis Royal, bypassing the town completely.

Today Bridgetown has many heritage buildings which are best appreciated by taking "The Cyprus Walk" self-guided walking tour. Bridgetown today has little industry. Britex Limited was the town's main source of income until 2004 when lack of government help closed it.

The town hosts an annual Ciderfest festival to celebrate the apple harvest in the fall.

External links

* [http://www.town.bridgetown.ns.ca/ Town of Bridgetown website]
* [http://www.bridgetown.ednet.ns.ca/ Bridgetown Regional High School's website]
* [http://www.ourvalley.ca/Communities/Bridgetown-Nova-Scotia.asp Bridgetown Nova Scotia]

Subdivisions of Nova Scotia