Since the landing of the Norse men almost 1000 years ago, the rich coast of Yarmouth County has been Known to Europeans. The Micmac fished from the sheltered coves. The French Acadians, the Puritans, and the Loyalists landed here to found new homes.  Because the rocky soil near the coast is poor for farming, the settlers turned to the fishery.  Lobster, ground fish, mackerel, herring and other fish have provided the mainstay of the economy. Shellfish lovers enjoy the "quahogs", large clams which are dug in the tidal flats.

Start in Yarmouth Town Leave Yarmouth via Starr's Road  toward Arcadia and Route 3.  Continue past the shopping malls and proceed straight on at  the intersection along Route 3.  Continue along for a short distance, turning right toward Chebogue, through Central Chebogue. The Maps on the sides of each page can be used to find out more information about the area you are in.  The community names will link you to information on the Villages of yarmouth while others will yield pictures and some information. Nothing can be as exciting as the real thing, but we hope you will enjoy our presentation and we that you will be able to visit our area. We would like to thank GrassRoutes for their work on this project and to the sponsers of the site. Linda Deveau Yarmouth County Tourist Association

MENU Photos  Yacht Club  Town Point  Villages Arcadia Chebogue Sponser Cook's Dairy

CHEBOGUE The name comes from two Micmac words,  "che" great, and "poug" still water. In December, 1735 the brigantine "Baltimore" was discovered in Chebogue Harbour with a woman the only person on board. The woman stated that her name was Susanah Buckler, and that she was the captain's widow. The "Baltimore" lay at anchor for seven years and no one would go on board due to the abundance of rumours and superstitions related to the ship's appearance. The vessel was finally towed out to sea and burned. The woman, who was later discovered to be a convict, escaped to Boston and all trace of her was lost. Chebogue Beautiful gentle landscape, overlooking the Chebogue river will set the tone for what will prove to be a very memorable day(s) journey. The Chebogue Yacht club provides a safe refuge for sailors.  Cook's Dairy Ltd. and farms, provide the local area with dairy products.  The lush agricultural land in this area is a sharp contrast to what you will see in some of the more coastal areas of you trip. Town Point Turn left toward Town Point by the Chebogue United Church. Stop at the cemetery on the left. In the middle lower portion of the cemetery is the interesting grave stone in the form of a reclining effigy asleep on a sheaf of wheat. Locally known as "Ruth the Gleaner", the stone was placed by a mourning husband.  Chebogue Point Return to the highway, turning left and continue toward Rockville, turning left to Chebogue Point which offers and excellent view over the nearby islands and peninsulas. Chebogue Point was the first considered site for the Town of Yarmouth, and also the place where the Samson, the mystery ship connected with the sinking of the Titanic, was lost at sea.

MENU Photos  Kelley's Cove  Villages Kelley's Cove

Return to the highway, turning left to  Rockville, Kelley's Cove and Sand Beach.    Kelley's Cove This is one of my favourite areas   and one could easily spend a day exploring, fishing and enjoying this unique tranquil area of Yarmouth .   I have spend many a summer days with my family in this area.  For more details select Kelley's cove from the menu. On the left is the main channel into Yarmouth harbour. To the left  is Bunker Island, home to huge oil tanks and oil company sea terminals. It is also home to Beacon Light (Bug Light). The original lighthouse was built on a bigger base and was built right into the light keeper's home. road Bunker Island also served as a defensive position with guns during the War of 1812 and into the late 1800's. The militia used the guns for practising. It was also the site of a marine hospital for contagious diseases where people were kept in quarantine. There are a few grave stones on the land as a result of this. Return to the main Windsurfing  Yarmouth Harbour   The Scott House This House is just  past the golf course.  To the right, just before the golf course, is a heritage home (1802-1805) which features both a widow's peak and widow's walk. At the corner of Kempt and Main Street is the site of the first inn and courthouse known as Richan's Tavern or Vengeance House. All early council meetings were held there.

Town of Yarmouth  To the right, at the corner or Argyle and Main, is one of two horse fountains in the Town of Yarmouth. These fountains operated as a result of private donations and served to water horses, dogs and cats. Note the different sizes and heights of bowls meant for the different sized animals. At 39 Argyle Street you will find one of the oldest houses in town (1810-1812).  The Academy (1832) to the right after Moody's Lane is one of the oldest school houses in Canada. This two-door, two-story building was a restoration project of the Town of Yarmouth. Not far along, you are  in the heart of the Town's business district and working waterfront.  (Yarmouth Historic Walking Tour provides an in depth look at the district) Continue on to Yarmouth, entering the Town on Main Street.  Follow Main Street (Route 1) through Yarmouth toward Digby by-passing the turn to Highway 101 at Starr's Road. Turn left at the "Horse Fountain" onto Vancouver Street and cross the little bridge. On the right is the mill wheel which Sealed Landers, one of the first settlers (1761), brought with him to use in his mill, which he built on this site.

Yarmouth Town

Overton
Just past the hospital complex turn left toward Overton, Pembroke and Yarmouth Bar on the Grove Road. The famous Yarmouth Runic Stone, bearing an inscription in ancient Icelandic characters was found near the church in Overton. The stone is now in the Yarmouth County Museum in Yarmouth. The runes or writing characters on the stone have been deciphered as, "Leif Ericson to Eric Riseth this Monument".

To the left is Yarmouth Town and Harbour with its busy waterfront. The fields in the area are bounded by dry stone fences, some of them over 200 years old, built by settlers from Scotland and northern England. Follow the road curving left after the church. Located at the narrows to Yarmouth Harbour is Fishermen's Monument, erected to honour the seamen lost at sea.

The community of Yarmouth Bar almost straddles the causeway leading toward Cape Forchu Island. In the 1930's and 40's approximately 100 families lived here. You can still see some of the small homes clustered together. Due to the success of the fishing industry, people have moved away, have built new comfortable homes, and are sending their children to university. On the left are lobster pounds and lobster cars, where live lobsters are stored until needed for shipment to North American, European and Japanese destinations. Continue over the breakwater, (huge boulders and sunken ships protect the road and buildings from heavy seas during storms) to the curve in the highway where one can see seemingly good harbour on both sides.

The highest part of Cape Forchu Island was the site of a turn of the century major resort style hotel called The Markland Hotel. Boats left from the Killam Wharf in Yarmouth and landed at a large wharf on Cape Forchu Island bringing guests and visitors. The roadway to the original spot is now overgrown but can be distinguished. To your right is Outer False Harbour, site of many shipwrecks when many mariners mistook it for Yarmouth Harbour. Inner Harbour, on the left is equally deceptive.
To your right with False Harbour in the background, you will see what was once an old school house. It served the people of the Yarmouth Bar during the 1940's after their school burnt down and was built with lumber from the old Yarmouth Yacht Club. The Building was also used for rum-running business in the 1930's and 40's. It houses an art studio and its owner, a former teacher, had her first job in this school.

The beaches on both sides and ahead at John's Cove (named after John Fox, one of the first light keepers), are excellent for picnicking and have shallow water. Ahead is historic Yarmouth Light at Cape Forchu established January 15, 1840. The Cape was visited by the De Monts-Poutrincourt Expedition in 1604. The area was named Forchu by explorer Champlain in that same year and means "forked or clove hoof". Past the parking area at the Light, a path winds over to the Leif Ericson Picnic Park overlooking the huge sea-washed rocks. There are many interesting geological formations found in the rocks.

Return to the highway, turn left, and proceed through Sandford, continuing to Short Beach. Stay on the pavement through Darling Lake, then turn left onto Route 1 toward Port Maitland Halifax.

In Port Maitland turn left toward the Breakwater and Sandy Beach Provincial Park. Turn left just before the wharf and follow the road over the one lane bridge. On the left is another tide gate bridge over the water. Go past the lighthouse and follow the gravel road along the "barrachois" on the left. This formation occurs when a slightly salt marshy wet area forms behind the salt water beach. It is a haven to many varieties of shore birds and an excellent area for bird watching.
Turn left at the first road, leading back to Route 1. Turn left on Route 1 and drive through Port Maitland on to Beaver River.

Turn left at the Mavillette Beach sign and follow the road along the beach to various parking areas. Mavillette Beach Provincial Park and Picnic Area is an excellent site for beach activities and picnics.
Continue along the beach turn left toward Cape St. Mary. Here you will find a sheltered wharf alive with activity overlooked by the picturesque Cape St. Mary Lighthouse. Return to Route 1, by-passing the beach and follow the wetland where abundant bird life may be observed.

Turn left on Route 1 toward Meteghan. Near Meteghan, on the left is Smuggler's Cove Picnic Park. Visitors may scramble down the stairway down to the beach stone shingle below the cliffs. Caves in the area were used by smugglers and rum runners to hide the contraband.  Across the Bay are the islands of  Digby Neck leading to Brier Island. Whale watching tours are available on Brier Island. Continue on to Meteghan, turning left to the Breakwater. This port is busy and bustling with larger fishing boats which venture further out into the Atlantic.

Back on Route 1, on the right, stop at La Vieille Maison, the oldest building in the community which has been preserved as a museum. Visitors will notice the Acadian flag, as they travel throughout the region. It consists of the French tricolor with a yellow star in the blue field, flying with the Canadian flag.  Entering Meteghan River, note busy A. F. Theriault and Son Shipyards on the left. Usually one can see large fishing boats high and dry in cradles as repairs are made while others wait tied up in the small basin. The skill of working on wooden ships is one which has been passed on through the generations in this region for nearly 200 years. The Theriault yard was singled out for a productivity award during World War II when building wooden-hulled military vessels.

Continue on to Saulnierville with its large century old church. A booklet is available in the church which details the history of the structure and the community. Further up on the left, by the water is Comeau Seafoods Ltd. which exports fish products throughout the world and is one of the area's largest employer. In Comeauville the Acadian dish "pâté à la rapure" (known as rappie pie) first gained commercial recognition. Made up of meat and grated potatoes from which much of the starch has been removed, rappie pie is available at many restaurants in the area.

Continue through Little Brook to Church Point, home of Université Saite-Anne, the only french language university in Nova Scotia. The village is dominated by huge grey wooden church, the tallest wooden church in North America. The 67 meters (200 foot) spire offers a fantastic photo opportunity. The church is open to visitors. Behind the church you will find a 1 km walking trail with a gazebo overlooking Baie Sainte Marie (St. Mary's Bay). A short diversion leads down Chemin de Phare/Lighthouse Road, where the first church was built, to the small lighthouse on the shore, providing a different perspective of the church and university campus. A bilingual guide is available during July and August for tours of the church.

Return to Route 1 and turn left passing through Grosses Coques to Belliveau's Cove. Belliveau's Cove had a large shipyard but there is no evidence of it today. Also the biggest ship ever built in the counties of Yarmouth and Digby was built here and weighed 2154 tons. Upon entering Belliveau's Cove, turn left past the bridge and head toward Majors Point. Here you will find the first Acadian cemetery (1774).

Return to Route 1, turn left and just before the wharf you will find a 5 km (3 mi) walking trail along the beach and through marshlands. Continue on to Saint Bernard where you will see Nova Scotia's largest stone church. Tours are available throughout the summer. Your tour of the Acadian Shore ends here. You may connect with Highway 101 by taking the road just past the church. Look for signs indicating this. Travel on Highway 101, exiting at Port Maitland (Exit 33).

Turn left toward Yarmouth on Route 1. This scenic area consists of  farm lands and homesteads. Entering Hebron, look for The Manor Inn located on your right. This is the former estate of Commodore H. N. Raymond. Stroll through their rose garden, home to two hundred varieties of roses. Proceed west entering what's known as the Lakeside Village area. A full range of services, restaurants, accommodations and retail stores can be found along this route. The lake systems end with Lake Milo where a full component of recreational facilities such as canoeing, sailing and swimming are at your disposal. Your day trip ends here having once again returned to the town of Yarmouth.

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