Harbourville's History

Circa 1860

Circa 1860 Harbourville - click for larger image
courtesy of Chas. Cook

An Act To Incorporate The Givan Wharf Company 1847 - Givan Cove, Nova Scotia
The private and local acts of Nova-Scotia - By Nova Scotia, William Young, 1851

The naming of Harbourville 1860

A public meeting was held in this place on the 13th. inst. Pursuant to previous notice, for the purpose of defining the limits, and establishing a name for the district, hitherto known as Givan Wharf.

The meeting was called to order by appointing Mr. Johnson Turner, Chairman. Henry Morris, junr., Secretary. Moved by Mr. Henry Morris and Seconded by Mr. Daniel B. Parker, that the bound of the district be as follows : Commencing at the Turner’s Brook , on the Bay Shore; thence south by said brook to the Base Line Road, then east by said road to the brook on the east side of John Givan’s land; thence North by the Bay shore to the place of beginning.

Resolved: By a majority of votes that the district described in the foregoing resolution shall be hereafter called" Harbourville".

Moved by Mr. D.B. Parker , Seconded by Capt. I. Morris, that publishers of newspapers, and all persons corresponding with the inhabitants of this place are respectfully requested to direct their papers and letters to "Harbourville".

Moved by Mr. S. Dodge, Seconded by Mr. I.A. Cahill. That copies of the proceedings of this meeting be forwarded by insertion in the Christian Messenger, Provincial Wesleyan, and Presbyterian Witness, and the secular papers are respectfully requested to copy.

Signed Johnson Turner, Chairman Henry Morris, junr., Secretary

Harbourville Cornwallis West
March 4th. 1860
[Christian Messenger, 28 March 1860, p. 101. NSARM, Halifax, NS mfm# 8355]
Transcribed by John Parker, B.A., B.Ed., G.R.S.(C).

1877 - 1886
Various Matters


Debates of the Senate of the Dominion of Canada 1878
Journals of the House of Commons - Volume 17 - Session 1883.
Annual Report By Canada. Dept. of Public Works 1886-1887

Annual report of the Minister of Public Works. 1883-84		  
Annual report of the Minister of Public Works. 1883-84

Extracts from the - "Report of the Dominion fishery commission on the fisheries of the province
of Ontario, 1893"

(The surname Given (mentioned below) is spelt Givan in many cases.)
This rural area is located on the south side of the mouth of Minas Channel in west-central Nova Scotia. An early name was Shingle Log Brook. Later it was named Givens Wharf after John Given. On March 13, 1860 the present name was chosen and is descriptive. Settlement probably began about 1829 by two families named Given and Hamilton. Seven buildings, including a hotel, were burned in August, 1870. The Harbourville United Church was opened as a Methodist Church in 1860. A Baptist Church was built at Long Point in 1860, opened on February 10, 1861.

A school-house was built in 1861. A postal way office was established at Givens Wharf in 1858. In 1863 the postal address became Harbourville. The lighthouse which was probably built in the late 19th or early 20th century was torn down on May 18, 1961. At one time the area was important as a shipping point for cord wood, potatoes and other things. More recently fishing has become a basic industry. Population in 1956 was 165.

Extracted from: Place Names and Places of Nova Scotia (Halifax, 1967).
© Dr. C. B. Ferguson and Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management (previously PANS)

History

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