Lockeport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lockeport
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Town
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Downtown Lockeport, Nova Scotia
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 Lockeport
Location in Nova Scotia
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Nova Scotia | |
| County | Shelburne County | |
| Town | Lockeport | |
| Founded | 1762 | |
| Incorporated | February 26, 1907 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Town Council | |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Total | 2.32 km2 (0.90 sq mi) | |
| Highest elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 476 | |
| • Density | 205.4/km2 (532/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (ADT) | |
| Postal code |
B0T 1L0
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| Area code(s) | 902 | |
| Telephone Exchange | 656 | |
| Median Earnings* | $33,854 | |
| GNBC Code | CAUZR | |
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Lockeport is a small town and port in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, Canada. It's a traditional fishing town located on a peninsula in Allendale Bay. A special road called the Crescent Beach causeway connects it to the mainland. The area around the bay is known as the "Ragged Islands."
Contents
Discovering Lockeport's Past
In 1762, two families from Massachusetts came to Nova Scotia. They wanted to find a new place to live closer to the rich fishing areas of the Grand Banks. When they found the calm Allendale Bay, they knew it was a perfect spot. Their new town would be a center for fishing and trade. It was located halfway between the New England colonies and the fishing grounds.
Early Leaders and Growth
The leaders of these first two families were Jonathan Locke and Josiah Churchill. They became important figures in the area's industries. Churchill was the first mayor of the Township of Locke's Island. This township was officially registered in Liverpool in 1764.
Locke's Island and the nearby areas grew quickly. Many hotels, trade warehouses, and fish processing plants were built. Large trade ships sailed from Locke's Island to the West Indies. They traded lumber and salt cod (dried fish). They returned to town with molasses and salt. Fishing boats were always coming back from the Grand Banks full of cod.
Challenges and Changes
However, this successful time for the Ragged Islands eventually ended. The first big problem was a collapse in the fish market in the 1890s. This meant people couldn't sell their fish for good prices. After that, several fires damaged the town. The once-great community faced tough times.
In 1907, the town's residents held a meeting. Everyone agreed that they needed to do something big to help Locke's Island's economy. They decided that the Township of Locke's Island would become the Town of Lockeport. By becoming an official town, they could get money from the provincial government.
The money the town first received was used to build a ferry. This ferry would connect the town to a nearby train line. This action did help the struggling economy. However, it couldn't bring the town back to its earlier glory days.
Population Changes in Lockeport
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In the 2021 Census, Statistics Canada counted the population of Lockeport. There were 476 people living in 234 homes. This was a decrease of -10.4% from its 2016 population of 531. The town covers an area of 2.32 km2 (0.90 sq mi). This means about 205.2/km2 (531/sq mi) people lived in each square kilometer in 2021.
Festivals and Local Culture
Lockeport hosts several yearly festivals. These events celebrate the history and culture of the Ragged Islands area.
Lockeport Sea Derby
The Lockeport Sea Derby is a popular festival for families. It brings people together to celebrate the area's strong fishing history.
Canada Day Celebrations
The yearly Canada Day festivities are well-known. They create a strong feeling of local pride in the community.
Harmony Bazaar Festival
Lockeport also hosts a popular women's music and arts festival. It's called the Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women & Song. This festival celebrates the independence of women on the South Shore.
Sporting Achievements
Lockeport is known for its love of sports in Nova Scotia, and maybe even in Canada. Since 1950, the local High School has won 44 provincial championships. These wins were in basketball, soccer, and track and field.
Famous Athletes from Lockeport
The town has produced some notable athletes.
- Marjorie Turner-Bailey was a sprinter who ran for Canada at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
- Walter Nickerson is Canada's most successful dory-rowing athlete.
- Ian MacMillan is a well-known basketball coach in Nova Scotia. He also worked as an assistant coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Today, sporting events still attract many fans. Lockeport has many indoor and outdoor places for recreation. Young people continue to gather and play sports there.
Community Library
The Lillian Benham Library is located at 35 North Street in Lockeport. It is one of the 10 branches of the Western Counties Regional Library. The library joined this regional system on June 5, 1969. However, it didn't have its own building in Lockeport until April 13, 1973. The library moved to its current location on September 1, 1981. It was then expanded and reopened on August 22, 1987.
