Debert facts for kids
Debert is a small farming community in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is located in the central-western part of Colchester County. Debert is about 20 kilometers west of Truro.
This community has a few important places. You can find two churches, a Royal Canadian Legion hall, and a skating rink. There is also a community center, two car repair shops, and a convenience store. A team of volunteer firefighters helps keep everyone safe.
Long ago, in the 1800s and early 1900s, people mined coal and iron ore near Debert. In the 1870s, Debert became a stop on the main railway line. This line connected Halifax to Montreal. Today, Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) owns the line. You can still travel by train with Via Rail, but trains no longer stop in Debert.
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Debert's Military Past
Debert played a big role in Canada's military history.
World War II Training Camp
During the Second World War, Debert was home to a large Canadian Army base. This base was called Debert Military Camp. Right next to it was an air force station, RCAF Station Debert.
Camp Debert was a place where many soldiers trained. They prepared for deployment to Europe. RCAF Station Debert was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Pilots and aircrew from different Commonwealth countries learned to fly here.
After the War
After the war, many buildings at Camp Debert were taken down. People reused the materials to build new homes. These new houses were built in Debert and other parts of Colchester County.
For a short time after the war, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College used the old camp hospital. Their main campus had a fire, so they moved temporarily to Debert.
New Military Roles
In the early 1950s, Camp Debert stopped being a main training base. A much larger camp opened in New Brunswick. The airfield in Debert became a smaller airport for another air force station.
In the 1960s, Debert got a new military purpose. It was chosen as the site for a secret government bunker. This bunker was called a "Diefenbunker". It was a special place for leaders in case of an emergency. This bunker became the main focus of the new CFS Debert.
The 720 Communications Squadron worked at CFS Debert. They looked after the bunker. They also helped with communications for the Canadian Armed Forces. This included units across Atlantic Canada and around the world. Huge radio stations were built nearby to help with these worldwide communications.
Debert Today
In 1971, the airport and training areas were sold. The government bought them to create the "Debert Air Industrial Park." It also became a local airport.
CFS Debert closed in the mid-1990s. The remaining military buildings were given to a local group called "Colchester Park." The important communication work moved to the radio stations near Masstown and Great Village.
Today, the Debert Airport is a busy place for young people. The Royal Canadian Air Cadets run a summer program there. Over 50 cadets learn to fly gliders each summer. They can even earn their Glider Pilot License! The airport also offers an Advanced Aviation Course for Air Cadets.
Ancient Discoveries
Paleo-Indian Site
A very important discovery happened at the old military camp. A worker found signs of ancient people while preparing land for a tree farm. These people were called Paleo-Indians.
Researchers from Saint Mary's University came to dig and study the site. Their first reports showed that people lived here a very long time ago. It was older than any other site found in northern Nova Scotia.
Because of its importance, the site was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1972.
Debert's Climate
Debert has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm, wet summers with cool nights. The winters are long, cold, and very snowy.
Debert is inland, away from the coast. This gives it some of the warmest summer days in all of Nova Scotia. But it also means Debert can have some of the coldest winter nights.
