Shubenacadie Valley facts for kids
The Shubenacadie Valley is a beautiful countryside area in central Nova Scotia, Canada. It's a place where history and nature come together.
The valley is named after the Shubenacadie River, which flows right through it. This river starts at Shubenacadie Grand Lake in Halifax County. It then winds its way through gentle hills and rich soil, crossing into parts of Hants County and Colchester County. The land here was shaped long ago by glaciers, leaving behind fertile ground.
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A Historic Travel Route
The Shubenacadie Valley has always been an important pathway for travel. For hundreds of years, the Mi'kmaq Nation used the river as a portage route. This means they would carry their canoes and goods between different waterways. Early European settlers also used this route.
Canals and Railways
Later, people tried to build the Shubenacadie Canal system. This canal was meant to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Bay of Fundy using the Shubenacadie River. However, it didn't last long. Soon after it was finished, a new way to travel came along: the Nova Scotia Railway. This railway was built right through the valley.
The Nova Scotia Railway later became part of the Intercolonial Railway. Today, it is owned and run by CN Rail.
Modern Highways
In the 1970s, a major road called Highway 102 was built. It runs between Halifax and Truro. This highway helped reduce traffic on the older road, Trunk 2, making travel easier and faster through the valley.
Growing Communities
Because the Shubenacadie Valley is located along the main travel route between Halifax and Truro, many communities here are growing quickly. People are moving to the valley as it becomes a popular place to live near Halifax. It's becoming a mix of suburban and exurban areas, meaning people live here and often travel to Halifax for work or other activities.
Valley Communities
Here are some of the communities you'll find in the Shubenacadie Valley, listed from the river's start to where it flows out:
- Enfield
- Elmsdale
- Lantz
- Dutch Settlement
- Milford
- Indian Brook Reserve
- Shubenacadie
- Maitland
