Berwick, Nova Scotia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berwick
Bearaig (Scottish Gaelic)
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Berwick's commercial street
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| Nickname(s):
Apple Capital of Nova Scotia
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| Motto(s):
By Industry and Ingenuity
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 Berwick, Nova Scotia
Location in Nova Scotia
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| Country | Canada | ||
| Province | Nova Scotia | ||
| County | Kings County | ||
| Founded | 1800s | ||
| Incorporated | May 25, 1923 | ||
| Electoral Districts Federal |
West Nova |
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| Provincial | Kings West | ||
| Area
(2016)
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| • Total | 6.58 km2 (2.54 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 43 m (141 ft) | ||
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 2,509 | ||
| • Density | 381.3/km2 (988/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) | ||
| Postal code |
B0P
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| Area code(s) | 902 | ||
| Telephone Exchange | 538 | ||
| Median Earnings* | $44,272 | ||
| NTS Map | 021H02 | ||
| GNBC Code | CACVC | ||
| Website | Town of Berwick | ||
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Berwick is a friendly town in Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada. It's located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, right by the Cornwallis River. This town covers about 6.8 square kilometers and sits 43 meters above sea level. Berwick is known for its history and strong connection to apples!
Contents
Discovering Berwick's Past
Berwick has a long and interesting history. Long ago, the Mi'kmaq people and later the Acadians used the area as a crossing point. This was a place to travel between the Cornwallis River and the Annapolis River. They even built a simple road nearby. This road later became an important route connecting communities in western Nova Scotia.
Early Settlers and Naming the Town
In 1760, the Berwick area was given to several families from New England. These settlers were called New England Planters. But the community didn't really start growing until 1810. That's when Benjamin Congdon built the first home on the town site.
The town had a few different names over the years. It was first called "Congdon Settlement." Then it became "Curry's Corner" and "Davison's Corner." These names came from important families and store owners in the area. In 1851, residents decided to name the town Berwick. They chose this name after the English town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The Railway Arrives
A big change happened in 1869 when the Windsor and Annapolis Railway came to Berwick. The railway completely changed the town! The main business area moved about a mile south from the original Main Street. The new town center grew around Commercial Street, which led to the railway tracks.
This railway, later known as the Dominion Atlantic Railway, helped Berwick's apple industry. It made it easy to export apples to other places. This brought many warehouses and new businesses to the town. Berwick had train service until 1990 when the railway line closed down.
Becoming an Official Town
Berwick officially became a town on May 25, 1923. This meant it could make its own decisions and manage its own services. The town even built its own hydro-electric power dam in 1921. This dam still helps provide electricity to the town today!
Berwick's Population Growth
Berwick has grown steadily over the years. In 1941, there were 962 people living here. By 2016, the population had grown to 2,509 residents. The latest count in 2021 showed 2,455 people living in Berwick. The town covers about 6.53 square kilometers.
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Berwick's Economy: The Apple Capital
Berwick's official slogan is the "Apple Capital of Nova Scotia." This shows how important the apple industry has been to the town's growth. For a long time, apples were a major part of the local economy.
Changes in the Apple Industry
After World War II, the market for apples in Europe changed. Farmers in the area started growing other crops and doing different types of farming. Even though the apple industry isn't as big as it once was, you can still find apple orchards nearby. A large apple sculpture in the town center reminds everyone of this important history.
Local Businesses and Energy
In the past, many successful food businesses were in Berwick. These included food processing plants and meat markets. However, many of these smaller companies were bought by larger ones and eventually closed.
Today, other important employers include the Easson's trucking company. Many people also work at the Michelin tire plant in nearby Waterville. The military base at CFB Greenwood is another big employer. Berwick also serves as a service center for the surrounding areas. It has many small shops and businesses.
The town has its own electric company, the Berwick Electric Utility. It generates some of its own power from a hydro generator. In 2015, Berwick's electric company teamed up with two other towns. They built a wind farm with four turbines. This wind farm now provides 20% of Berwick's electricity.
Buildings and Structures
Berwick's success from the apple industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s led to many beautiful homes. It also had classic wooden Victorian storefronts. Sadly, many of the old commercial buildings on Commercial Street were taken down in the 1980s and 1990s. This happened as businesses expanded and built larger parking lots. Because of this, Berwick's town center now looks like many modern shopping areas.
Historic Homes and New Facilities
Even with these changes, the town still has many lovely Victorian and Edwardian houses. These homes are found on streets lined with trees.
In 2008, a large new fire hall was built for the Berwick Volunteer Fire Department. In 2009, plans were announced for a big new arena and community center. This building was nicknamed "The Apple Dome." Its official name is the "Kings Mutual Century Centre." The center has a running track, a fitness center, and an ice rink. The Berwick Curling Club was also added to the center in 2018.
Berwick's Literary Connections
Berwick has inspired some well-known authors. Margaret Marshall Saunders, who wrote the famous children's book Beautiful Joe in 1894, spent most of her childhood here. Her father was a Baptist minister in the town.
Christy Ann Conlin, author of the 2002 novel Heave, grew up just outside Berwick. Critics have noticed that the fictional town of "Foster" in her book was inspired by Berwick.
Berwick Today
Berwick has a museum called the Apple Capital Museum. It also has a seasonal tourism office for visitors. A branch of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library is located in the town hall. This library offers public internet access.
Since the 1860s, Berwick has been home to a summer religious retreat. It's operated by the United Church of Canada and is known as Berwick Camp. It's located in a beautiful area with old pine and hemlock trees at the south end of town.
Notable Residents
- Edward D. MacArthur (1920–1986), a politician and doctor.
- Margaret Marshall Saunders – an international best-selling author.
