Westville, Nova Scotia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westville
Baile an Iar (Scottish Gaelic)
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| Nickname(s):
The Gateway to Northern Nova Scotia
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 Westville, Nova Scotia
Location in Nova Scotia
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Nova Scotia | |
| Municipality | Pictou County | |
| Incorporated | August 20, 1894 | |
| Area
(2016)
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| • Total | 14.23 km2 (5.49 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 70.1 m (230.0 ft) | |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 3,628 | |
| • Density | 254.9/km2 (660/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Westvillian | |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (ADT) | |
| Postal code span |
B0K 2A0
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| Area code(s) | 902 | |
| Telephone Exchange | 396 | |
| NTS Map | 11E10 New Glasgow | |
| GNBC Code | CBOLU | |
| Website | westville.ca | |
Westville is a town in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is located just west of Stellarton and about four kilometers southwest of New Glasgow. New Glasgow is the largest town in this area. Westville is often called "The Gateway to Northern Nova Scotia." It officially became a town on August 20, 1894.
Contents
History of Westville
How Westville Got Its Name
Westville was first known as Acadian Village. The name Westville was chosen because the community was located west of the Albion Mines. Today, Albion Mines is known as Stellarton.
Westville's Mining Past
Westville has a long history of coal mining. Coal was first found here in 1864. The Acadia Mine opened soon after in 1866. Westville, along with Stellarton, was once a very busy coal mining area. During World War I, Westville had three large underground mines: the Black Diamond, the Acadia, and the Drummond.
Sadly, Westville was also the site of the Drummond Mine explosion on May 13, 1873. This was a very difficult time for the town. The last underground mine, the Drummond pit, closed in the 1970s. After that, a lot of open-pit mining happened in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, you can visit the miner's monument at Acadia Park. It honors those affected by the town's mining disasters. A community center also reminds people of Westville's proud coal mining past. The war memorial there was made by a famous artist named Emanuel Hahn.
Sports in Westville
Like many towns with coal mines, Westville was a big fan of sports. Baseball was very popular among the miners. One of Westville's baseball teams even won the Maritime championship in 1927. A very famous baseball player, Babe Ruth, visited the town in 1936. He hit a ball right over the center field fence! The town also had championship teams in cricket, lacrosse, football, and hockey. In the early 1900s, Westville also had the largest natural ice skating rink east of Montreal.
Population Information
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In the 2021 Census, Westville had a population of 3,540 people. These people lived in 1,567 homes. This was a small decrease from its 2016 population of 3,628 people. Westville covers an area of about 14.24 km2 (5.50 sq mi). This means that in 2021, there were about 248.6/km2 (644/sq mi) people living in each square kilometer.
What Westville Offers
Westville is mostly a "bedroom community." This means many people who live there travel to nearby towns for work. However, Westville's Main Street has banks, shops, restaurants, and other useful places. There is also a rest stop for travelers off Highway 104, which is part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
One of the biggest Canada Day celebrations in Atlantic Canada happens in Westville. This fun event lasts for five days! It includes a county fair, a street parade, and guest bands from all over the world. In 2007, Westville celebrated its 100th Canada Day event.
Famous People From Westville
- Kris MacFarlane, the drummer for the band Great Big Sea
- Russell MacEwan, a lawyer, Member of Parliament, and judge
Nearby Places
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 Westville, Nova Scotia  |
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