Barrington
District municipality
Municipality of the District of Barrington
Seal Island Lighthouse Museum
Seal Island Lighthouse Museum
Nickname: 
Lobster Capital of Canada
Location of the Municipality of the District of Barrington
Location of the Municipality of the District of Barrington
Coordinates: 43°33′53″N 65°33′50″W / 43.5646°N 65.563864°W / 43.5646; -65.563864
CountryCanada
ProvinceNova Scotia
CountyShelburne
IncorporatedApril 17, 1879
Electoral Districts     
Federal
South Shore—St. Margaret's
ProvincialShelburne
Government
 • TypeCommittee system
 • WardenEddie Nickerson
Area
[1][2]
 • Land631.98 km2 (244.01 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1][2][3]
 • Total6,523
 • Density10.3/km2 (27/sq mi)
 • Change 2016-21
Decrease1.9%
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (ADT)
Postal code(s)
B0W 1E0
Area code902
Dwellings3494
Median household income$44,541 CDN (2005)
Access routes Hwy 103[4]
WebsiteOfficial website

Barrington, officially named the Municipality of the District of Barrington, is a district municipality in western Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Statistics Canada classifies the district municipality as a municipal district.

Geography

The Municipality of the District of Barrington forms the southernmost part of the province and contains Cape Sable, the eastern boundary between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine.

Cape Sable Island is home to the tallest lighthouse in the Maritime Provinces. The Cape Light stands 101 feet tall, located on Canada's most southern saltwater beach, The Hawk Beach.

Acadia University owns Bon Portage Island in the municipality, which is protected by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust; there is a field biology research station present for students to study various local birds.[5]

Etymology

The Mi'kmaq called the area "Ministiguish" or "Ministegkek", meaning "he has gone for it."[6] The Acadians called the area "le Passage", meaning "the Passage".[6] Barrington is named after William Barrington, 2nd Viscount Barrington.[7]

History

French settlement

Cape Sable and Cape Negro were settled by the Acadians who migrated from Port Royal in 1620.[8] The French governor of Acadia, Charles de la Tour, colonized Cap de Sable giving it the present name, meaning Sandy Cape.[9] La Tour built up a strong post at Cap de Sable (present-day Port La Tour, Nova Scotia) beginning in 1623, called Fort Lomeron in honour of David Lomeron who was his agent in France. (The fur trading post called Fort Lomeron was later renamed Fort La Tour although – erroneously – identified as Fort Saint-Louis in the writings of Samuel de Champlain.) Here he carried on a sizable trade in furs with the Mi'kmaq and farmed the land.

During the Anglo-French War (1627–1629), under Charles I, by 1629 the Kirkes took Quebec City, Sir James Stewart of Killeith, Lord Ochiltree planted a colony on Cape Breton Island at Baleine, and Alexander’s son, William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling established the first incarnation of “New Scotland” at Port Royal. This set of British triumphs in what had otherwise been a disastrous war was not destined to last. King Charles’ haste to make peace with France on the terms most beneficial to him meant that the new North American gains would be bargained away in the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1632).[10] There were three battles in Nova Scotia during the colonization of Scots: one at Saint John; another battle at Balene, Cape Breton; and one on Cape Sable (Port La Tour).

Siege of 1630

In 1627, as a result of these Scottish victories, Cape Sable was the only major French holding in North America.[11] There was a battle between Charles and his father at Fort St. Louis (See National Historic Site - Fort St. Louis), the latter supporting the Scottish who had taken Port Royal. The battle lasted two days. Claude was forced to withdraw in humiliation to Port Royal.[12]

As a result, La Tour appealed to the King of France for assistance and was appointed lieutenant-general in Acadia in 1631.[13]

By 1641, La Tour lost Cape Sable Island, Pentagouet (Castine, Maine), and Port Royal to Governor of Acadia Charles de Menou d'Aulnay de Charnisay.[14]

La Tour retired to Cap de Sable with his third wife Jeanne Motin, wed in 1653, and died in 1666.[15]

Port La Tour was the site of the first recorded conflict between New England and the Mi'kmaq (see Battle off Port La Tour (1677)).

Father Rale's War

During Father Rale's War, there were numerous attacks on New England fishing vessels. As an important landfall and base for seasonal New England fishing vessels working the rich fishing banks of Southwestern Nova Scotia, Cape Sable attracted several waves of pirate attacks in the Golden Age of Piracy. Pirates Ned Low and John Phillips raided fishing vessels off Cape Sable and Phillips met his death off the Cape in 1723.[16]

Father Le Loutre's War

During Father Le Loutre's War there were various naval battles just off shore as the French vessels carried war munitions and supplies from Quebec to the Saint John River for Boishebert at Fort Menagoueche.

French and Indian War

The British Conquest of Acadia happened in 1710. Over the next forty-five years the Acadians refused to sign an unconditional oath of allegiance to Britain. During this time period Acadians participated in various militia operations against the British and maintained vital supply lines to the French Fortress of Louisbourg and Fort Beausejour.[17] The Acadians and Mi'kmaq from Cape Sable Island raided the Protestants at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia numerous times.

During the French and Indian War, the British sought to neutralize any military threat Acadians posed and to interrupt the vital supply lines Acadians provided to Louisbourg by deporting Acadians from Acadia.[18] In April 1756, Major Preble and his New England troops, on their return to Boston, raided a settlement near Port La Tour and captured 72 men, women, and children.[19]

In the late summer of 1758, the British launched three large offensives against the Acadians. One was the St. John River Campaign, another was the Petitcodiac River Campaign, and the other was against the Acadians at Cape Sable Island. Major Henry Fletcher led the 35th regiment and a company of Joseph Gorham's Rangers to Cape Sable Island. He cordoned off the cape and sent his men through it. One hundred Acadians and Father Jean Baptiste de Gray surrendered, while about 130 Acadians and seven Mi'kmaq escaped. The Acadian prisoners were taken to Georges Island in Halifax Harbour.[20]

New England Planters

Following the Acadian Expulsion in the 1750s, the area was settled in 1760 by eighty families from Cape Cod and Nantucket, Massachusetts.[6] Cape Sable Island was settled by the New England Planters from Cape Cod and nearby Nantucket Island. The waters off southwestern Nova Scotia had been well known to them since the days of French settlement in the early 17th century. While the tides of the Gulf of Maine may have brought a few exploring fishermen from Nantucket to the island, it was an entirely different tide that spawned the eventual permanent English settlement—a political tide.

Many Cape New Englanders took advantage of the offer of 50 acres (200,000 m2) of land to each male adult who would leave his home and live on those vacated lands in Atlantic Canada. Cape Sable Island was well known to Cape Cod fishermen and they moved north in 1760 to take advantage of a new life. The Cape Sable settlement soon became, and remains today, an important base for inshore fisheries.

Barrington's White inhabitants are mostly descendants of the first settlers from Chatham and Harwich on Cape Cod, Massachusetts who emigrated to the area during the 1760s. One such settler was Solomon Kendrick, father of John Kendrick, explorer and maritime fur trader. Solomon moved from Harwich, Cape Cod, to Barrington in the 1760s.[21]

During the American Revolution, on September 4, 1778, the light infantry company of the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants), under the command of Cpt. Ranald MacKinnon, was in the Raid of Cape Sable Island. American Privateers were threatening Cape Sable Island when the 84th Regiment arrived; they surprised the ship in the night and destroyed it. For his aggressive action, MacKinnon was praised highly by Brigadier General Eyre Massey. In response, one of his friends, Cpt. MacDonald, wrote to Major John Small, "McKinnon was embarrassed by the praise of the General and requested it not be inserted in the record since he only did his duty."[22]

In 1854, Shelburne County was divided into two districts for court sessional purposes - Shelburne and Barrington. In 1879, these districts were incorporated as district municipalities.

Ferry service provided transportation to Cape Sable Island in the early 20th century. A causeway was eventually constructed for pedestrian and automobile traffic, opening on August 5, 1949.

The Shag Harbour UFO incident occurred in the area in 1967, attracting national and international attention.[23]

Barrington Lake wildfire

Barrington Lake wildfire on May 29, 2023 (c. 6,000 hectares)

A major wildfire started around May 27, 2023, near Barrington Lake.[24] The fire has burned around 23,015 hectares (56,871 acres) or 230.15 km2 as of 2 June 2023.[25][26] The response to the fire included widespread evacuation orders of the surrounding area, displacing around 5000 people.[27] All schools in Shelburne County were closed in response to the fires.[28] The wildfire is the largest recorded in the history of Nova Scotia.[29][30]

Efforts to stop the fire included the use of American water bombers and additional firefighters from the U.S. and Costa Rica.[31] On June 7, officials announced it was successfully contained.[32] As of June 7, the fire had destroyed 60 residences and 150 other structures.[33]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19817,680—    
19867,824+1.9%
19917,774−0.6%
19967,883+1.4%
20017,648−3.0%
20067,331−4.1%
20116,994−4.6%
20166,646−5.0%
20216,523−1.9%
Source: Statistics Canada:[34][35]

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Municipality of the District of Barrington had a population of 6,523 living in 3,024 of its 3,546 total private dwellings, a change of -1.9% from its 2016 population of 6,646. With a land area of 631.98 km2 (244.01 sq mi), it had a population density of 10.3/km2 (26.7/sq mi) in 2021.[35]

Economy

According to the 2016 Canadian census, the working-age population was 61.9% of the total population; the unemployment rate was 11.3% (10.3% among men and 12.7% among women). 89% of people were employees, and 10.1% were self-employed.[37] The average per capita income was $42,496 (median $30,240), with men $57,581 and women $27,629 (medians $44,451 and $21,276, respectively).[38] 39.2% did not have a completed school education, 34.5% had post-secondary education, of which 17.4% had a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20 people had a graduate degree.[39]

Politics

Barrington is in the Shelburne riding for the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Nolan Young was elected in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election to represent Shelburne as a member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia.[40]

Barrington is in the South Shore—St. Margarets riding for the House of Commons of Canada. Rick Perkins MP was elected in the 2021 Canadian federal election to represent South Shore—St. Margarets as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada.[41][42]

Education

The municipality includes Barrington Municipal High School, a secondary school for grades 7-12.[43]

Sports

The municipality has an indoor hockey rink, Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena, which follows National Hockey League (NHL) specifications.[44]

Climate

Climate data for Barrington, NS
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.9
(57.0)		 14
(57)		 18.3
(64.9)		 25.6
(78.1)		 31.1
(88.0)		 34.5
(94.1)		 33.3
(91.9)		 36.1
(97.0)		 27.8
(82.0)		 24.5
(76.1)		 20.6
(69.1)		 15
(59)		 36.1
(97.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.9
(33.6)		 1
(34)		 5
(41)		 10
(50)		 15.4
(59.7)		 19.9
(67.8)		 23.1
(73.6)		 23.1
(73.6)		 19.3
(66.7)		 14.1
(57.4)		 9
(48)		 4.1
(39.4)		 12.1
(53.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.7
(25.3)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 0.5
(32.9)		 5.2
(41.4)		 9.9
(49.8)		 14.3
(57.7)		 17.6
(63.7)		 17.6
(63.7)		 13.9
(57.0)		 9
(48)		 4.6
(40.3)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 7.1
(44.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.3
(17.1)		 −8
(18)		 −4
(25)		 0.3
(32.5)		 4.4
(39.9)		 8.7
(47.7)		 12.1
(53.8)		 12.1
(53.8)		 8.4
(47.1)		 3.9
(39.0)		 0.2
(32.4)		 −5
(23)		 2.1
(35.8)
Record low °C (°F) −22.8
(−9.0)		 −23.4
(−10.1)		 −24
(−11)		 −9.4
(15.1)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 0.5
(32.9)		 3.3
(37.9)		 2.4
(36.3)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 −7.8
(18.0)		 −14.3
(6.3)		 −24.6
(−12.3)		 −24.6
(−12.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 151.3
(5.96)		 107.3
(4.22)		 121.5
(4.78)		 123
(4.8)		 96.3
(3.79)		 102.7
(4.04)		 105.6
(4.16)		 82.3
(3.24)		 101.9
(4.01)		 112.5
(4.43)		 132.1
(5.20)		 156.6
(6.17)		 1,393.1
(54.85)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 104.5
(4.11)		 75.5
(2.97)		 93
(3.7)		 115.1
(4.53)		 96.2
(3.79)		 102.7
(4.04)		 105.6
(4.16)		 82.3
(3.24)		 101.9
(4.01)		 110.4
(4.35)		 126.4
(4.98)		 123.3
(4.85)		 1,236.9
(48.70)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 49.6
(19.5)		 31.3
(12.3)		 26.5
(10.4)		 7.4
(2.9)		 0.1
(0.0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 2
(0.8)		 5.6
(2.2)		 31.7
(12.5)		 154.2
(60.7)
Source: climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca[45]

Communities

Access routes

Highways and numbered routes that run through the district municipality, including external routes that start or finish at the municipal boundary:[46]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Statistics Canada Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population – 100% data
  2. 1 2 3 2006 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Barrington Municipal District, Nova Scotia
  3. ↑ Statistics Canada Population and dwelling counts, for Canada and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data
  4. ↑ Atlantic Canada Back Road Atlas ISBN 978-1-55368-618-7 Page 89
  5. ↑ Jones, Colleen (Jun 10, 2019). "Bon Portage Island a draw for university students studying birds". CBC News. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Brown, Thomas J. (1922). Place-names of the Province of Nova Scotia. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Royal Print & Litho. p. 16.
  7. ↑ "Nova Scotia Archives - Place-Names and Places of Nova Scotia". 20 April 2020.
  8. ↑ M. A. MacDonald. Fortune and La Tour. Methuen Press. 1983.p.14
  9. ↑ Place Names of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management
  10. ↑ Nichols, 2010. p. xix
  11. ↑ Roger Sarty and Doug Knight. Saint John Fortifications: 1630-1956. New Brunswick Military Heritage Series. 2003. p. 18
  12. ↑ Nicholls, 2010, p. 139
  13. ↑ Roger Sarty and Doug Knight. Saint John Fortifications: 1630-1956. Goose Lane Editions. 2003. p. 18
  14. ↑ M. A. MacDonald. La Tour and Fortune. p. 89
  15. ↑ Charles de Saint-Étienne de la Tour Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
  16. ↑ Dan Conlin, Pirates of the Atlantic (2009), Halifax: Formac Publishing, p. 34, 44, 52
  17. ↑ John Grenier, Far Reaches of Empire: War in Nova Scotia 1710-1760. Oklahoma University Press. 2008
  18. ↑ Patterson, Stephen E. (1998). "Indian-White Relations in Nova Scotia, 1749-61: A Study in Political Interaction". In P.A. Buckner; Gail G. Campbell; David Frank (eds.). The Acadiensis Reader: Atlantic Canada Before Confederation (3rd ed.). Acadiensis Press. pp. 105-106. ISBN 978-0-919107-44-1.
    • Patterson, Stephen E. (1994). "1744–1763: Colonial Wars and Aboriginal Peoples". In Phillip Buckner; John G. Reid (eds.). The Atlantic Region to Confederation: A History. University of Toronto Press. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-4875-1676-5. JSTOR 10.3138/j.ctt15jjfrm.
  19. ↑ Winthrop Bell. Foreign Protestants, University of Toronto, 1961, p. 504; Peter Landry. The Lion and the Lily, Trafford Press. 2007.p. 555
  20. ↑ John Grenier, The Far Reaches of Empire, Oklahoma Press. 2008. p. 198
  21. ↑ Ridley, Scott (2010). Morning of Fire: John Kendrick's Daring American Odyssey in the Pacific. Harper Collins. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-06-202019-2.
  22. ↑ Kim Stacy (1994). No One harms me with impunity - the History, Organization and Biographies of the 84th Highland Regiment (Royal Highland Emigrants) and Young Royal Highlanders during the Revolutionary War 1775-1784. Unpublished manuscript. p. 29
  23. ↑ Belliveau, Suzette (October 5, 2019). "Shag Harbour Incident continues to fascinate small N.S. fishing village". CTV News Atlantic. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Barrington Lake blaze in Nova Scotia is the largest wildfire ever recorded in provincial history". National Post. June 2, 2023. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ Natural Resources and Renewables (June 2, 2023). "Update on Wildfires, June 2 (evening)". News Release – Nova Scotia. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ Henderson, Jennifer (May 31, 2023). "'Please send more water bombers': Volunteer firefighters in Shelburne plead for more help". Halifax Examiner. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Northern Saskatchewan residents continue to flee homes due to wildfires". CBC News. May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Emergency alerts and information". Emergency Alerts – Nova Scotia. June 2, 2023. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Media Guide to Forest Fires - Fire Information". Government of Nova Scotia. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  30. ↑ chisholm, Cassidy (June 3, 2023). "Historic wildfire in Shelburne County remains out of control, says premier". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Media Guide to Forest Fires - Fire Information". Government of Nova Scotia. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  32. ↑ MacDonald, Michael (June 7, 2023). "Huge wildfire in southwestern Nova Scotia 'being held' after burning for 11 days". Global News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  33. ↑ MacDonald, Michael (June 7, 2023). "Huge wildfire in southwestern Nova Scotia 'being held' after burning for 11 days". Global News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  34. ↑ 1996, 2001, 2006 census
  35. 1 2 "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nova Scotia". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  36. ↑ 2006 Statistics Canada Census Ethnocultural Portrait of Canada: Barrington Municipal District, Nova Scotia
  37. ↑ "Census Profile, 2016 Census. Labour". Statistics Canada. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Census Profile, 2016 Census. Income". Statistics Canada. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Census Profile, 2016 Census. Education". Statistics Canada. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Tri-County NS Election Recap: PC’s Take Three Of Five Seats". CJLS-FM, August 18, 2021.
  41. ↑ Groff, Meghan. "Conservative Rick Perkins takes South Shore-St. Margarets". halifaxtoday.ca. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  42. ↑ "Rick Perkins - Member of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada".
  43. ↑ "BMHS". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  44. ↑ "Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena". Municipality of the District of Barrington. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  45. ↑ "Environment Canada". Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  46. ↑ Atlantic Canada Back Road Atlas ISBN 978-1-55368-618-7 Page 89

43°33′52.56″N 65°33′49.91″W / 43.5646000°N 65.5638639°W / 43.5646000; -65.5638639

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