1879 Historical Atlas Of Pictou County

Title: Illustrated Historical Atlas Of Pictou County Nova Scotia

Author: Meacham, J.H. & Co.

Publication Date: 1879

Scale: 3 chains per inch / 1:2,376 (1 chain is 20.11 meters)

Pages: 34-35

Click here for more maps and content from the Historical Atlas Of Pictou County

Overview

“No village in the country has grown so rapidly as Westville. Three extensive collieries being in the immediate vicinity, have no doubt been the cause of its rapid growth. Some three years ago, a census was taken, when the village was found to contain 2500 people, with two Presbyterian, one Methodist, and one Roman Catholic church.

The chief part of the population are miners and their families. There are some good stores, hotels, and other business places, but on passing through the village recently, we were sorry to see so many houses unoccupied. The cause of this, in all probability, is owing to the dullness in the staple commodity of the district – coals.

Many years ago, all was bustle and activity, and the only difficulty was how to supply the demand quick enough. Now there is an unfortunate lull in the trade, which in the nature of things makes the business aspect of the place less cheering than formerly. ” (Meacham, J.H. )

The Westville detailed maps split into a North Map and a South Map (displayed further below on this page) several maps included in the 1879 Historical Atlas of Pictou County. The maps in the historical Pictou County atlas highlight the basic topographic features of the community along with with cadastral data of prominent land owners, locations of buildings and other details. These maps show how the town was built around and how they were dependent on the coal mines.

The Westville was also featured (with less detail) on the Section 23 map (also shown further below on this page).