The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website. Duke Street Tower, Scotia Square, Under Construction ca. 1967 HALIFAX - From the Nova Scotia Historical Quarterly: Those familiar with the busy shops and high office towers of the Scotia Square complex in downtown Halifax will not find it easy to picture the area as it was a century or more ago. Near the original townsite the streets were early laid out, and soon became lined with homes, stores, warehouses and public buildings. Argyle, Grafton, and Albemarle (later Market) streets all extended north to Jacob Street, which ran east down the hill to Lockman (now Barrington) and was not far from the present extension of Cogswell. Then north from Jacob ran Starr to Hurd’s Lane, and Poplar Grove, a no-exit street. From the corner of Barrington and Duke to Hurd’s Lane may be found the sites of nine places of worship...

The Nova Scotia Archives is pleased to share photos showcasing the changing faces of urban centers in Nova Scotia. You can learn more about the archives and explore thousands of photos, textual records, maps, art, and more on their website. Five Corners, Dartmouth, ca. 1897 DARTMOUTH - In the year 1750, the Alderney arrived in Halifax Harbour with 151 immigrants. Officials at Halifax decided that these newcomers should settle on the eastern side of the harbour in an area known to the Mi'kmaq as Boonamoogwaddy or Tomcod Ground. The area was later given the name of Dartmouth after William Legge, 1st Earl of Dartmouth. By the year 1752, 193 people lived in Dartmouth.

Sydney was founded in 1785, and named after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. From 1784 to 1820, Sydney was the capital of the British colony of Cape Breton Island. Industrial development around Sydney began to take shape in the late 1820s.

Halifax's Grand Parade has long been seen as the heart of the city. It is one of the oldest places in Halifax, having been mapped out in 1749.

Excitement is building for a new central library for Halifax. The new central library will replace the Spring Garden Road Memorial Library, which was built in 1951 as a memorial to Halifax's WWI and WWII casualties.

Before the Maritime Centre opened its doors in 1977, the corner of Barrington St. and Spring Garden Rd. was home to the Capitol Theatre, which was demolished in 1974 to make room for the office tower.