Caledonia, Nova Scotia

Caledonia in Nova Scotia
View of Caledonia

Caledonia, Nova Scotia is a village located in northern Region of Queens Municipality, Nova Scotia along Trunk 8 (Kejimkujik Scenic Drive). Caledonia is the major village in the area known as North Queens, which has a radius of approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) and a population of approximately 1500.

Geography

Caledonia is 50 kilometres north of Liverpool along Highway 8. 17 kilometres further north of Caledonia, in Maitland Bridge, is the main entrance to Kejimkujik National Park.

History

The original settlers of Caledonia were six Scots and an Irishman, who settled on the seven hills in greater Caledonia. Caledonia was the Latin name given by the Romans to the area of modern-day Scotland, and with Nova Scotia translating as 'New Scotland', also from Latin, the names in the area obviously reflect this heritage.

In 1884, Caledonia served as the hub for the gold rush in the nearby communities of Whiteburne and North Brookfield.

The N.F. Douglas lumber mill in Caledonia was one of the area's main employers until its closure in 2014. Other industries include forestry, farming, a blueberry processing operation, and Kejimkujik National Park. Caledonia has a range of shops and services including; grocery, pharmacy, hardware store, gas station, post office, cafe/restaurants, medical centre, outdoor swimming pool and a Nova Scotia Liquor Commission outlet.

North Queens Community School, operated by South Shore Regional School Board, provides education from grades primary to twelve.[1]

Each September, Caledonia plays host to the Queens County Fair, which includes a parade and one of the oldest agricultural exhibitions in Nova Scotia.

Caledonia was formerly the end of a Canadian National Railway branch line. The line was long ago abandoned but has recently been refurbished as part of a rails-to-trails program by the Brookfield Mines Trails Association, creating a multi-use path from Caledonia to Colpton. The 18 km stretch of trail will have signage, gates, and benches installed in 2017.

Communications

Demographics

  • Total Dwellings – 400
  • Total Land Area – 184.235 km²

References

  1. ↑ "North Queens Community School". Retrieved December 12, 2016.

Coordinates: 44°22′44″N 65°1′56″W / 44.37889°N 65.03222°W / 44.37889; -65.03222


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