Kidston Island facts for kids
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Formerly known as:
Mutton Island and later Duke of Kent's Island |
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Lighthouse at Kidston Island
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| Geography | |
| Location | Bras d'Or Lakes |
| Coordinates | 46°05′41″N 60°44′46″W / 46.09466°N 60.74618°W |
| Administration | |
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Canada
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| Province | Nova Scotia |
| Municipality | Baddeck |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Kidston Island is a small, 35-acre island that helps protect Baddeck Harbour. It has a long and interesting history. In 1819, a retired British naval officer named James Duffus from Halifax became the first European settler on the island. This was before the village of Baddeck even existed. Back then, the island and nearby areas were covered in untouched forests. The only people living there were the native Mi'kmaq, who called the area "Ebedeck," meaning "place with an island nearby."
When Duffus arrived, the British called the island 'Leg-a-Mutton' because of its shape. This name was often shortened to Mutton Island.
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Island's Changing Names
James Duffus quickly built a home and a store on the island. He renamed it Duke of Kent Island. This was in honor of Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who was his patron and the father of Queen Victoria. Prince Edward was also the Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America.
By 1822, Duffus had married and started a family on the island. Soon after, the island became known as Duffus Island. In 1824, Duffus received a grant for 400 acres on the mainland across from the island. This land eventually grew into what we now know as the village of Baddeck. James Duffus passed away in September 1833 at the age of 46 while traveling for medical care. He left behind his wife and two sons on Duffus Island.
For the next two years, Mrs. Duffus continued to manage the store on the island. In 1835, a man named William R. Kidston arrived from Halifax to handle the Duffus family's affairs. A year later, he married Mrs. Duffus and moved to the island. They continued to run the business together. Some years later, they moved to the mainland. By this time, the island had taken on its current name, Kidston Island.
Who Owned the Island?
After the Kidston family, the island had several different owners. The Kidston family owned it until the 1880s. In 1875, William Kidston (a grandson of William R. Kidston) sold a small piece of land to the government. This was so a lighthouse could be built there, which happened that same year.
Later, Alexander Ross owned the island, and he sold it to Frank J.D. Barnjum. In the early 1900s, there was talk of building a big resort on the island. This would have changed the island forever, but luckily, it never happened.
By 1936, Leonora B. Wood owned Kidston Island. That year, she sold it to Mersey Paper Company Limited. This company owned the island until 1960. During this time, they likely cut down trees for timber. In 1960, the company sold the island to The Village Commissioners of Baddeck.
Island Features
Kidston Island has a beach with lifeguards, which is run by the Lions Club. The beach offers a picnic area, changing rooms, and washrooms. The island is also home to the Kidston Island Lighthouse, an important historic building located on the eastern tip of the island.
How to Visit Kidston Island
You can visit Kidston Island during July and August. A small ferry, run by the Lions Club, takes up to 12 passengers to the island.
Island History Timeline
- 1819: Lieutenant James Duffus, a retired naval officer, built his home and started a business on the island. His brother-in-law was Sir Samuel Cunard, who founded the Cunard Line of steamships. Duffus's business served people from River Baddeck and Grand Narrows. Customers would travel to the island by canoe.
- 1833: James Duffus passed away. His assistants continued to run the business for about two more years.
- 1836: William Kidston arrived from Halifax to manage Duffus's estate. He married Margaret Ann Duffus, James Duffus's widow, and took over the business.
- 1840: The Kidston business moved from the island to the mainland.
- 1875: The first lighthouse was built on Kidston Island.
- 1912: The current lighthouse was built. For a while, both the old and new lighthouses stood side-by-side.
- 1959: The Mersey Paper Company, which owned the island, sold it to the Village of Baddeck.
