Town of Pictou, Pictou County

About the Town of Pictou

In 1783, 70 men were able to bear arms at Pictou or Tinmouth (Taignmouth). The population of the town swelled by the Loyalist immigration in 1784 and by February, 1830, there were about 1500 residents.

Pictou has transitioned over the years from a bustling small port town in the 19th century to a smaller quaint Maritime Town that now focuses on preserving its historical significance and developing its tourism industry while maintaining some light industry and fishing activities. Pictou was incorporated as a town in 1873.

In 1881, fire destroyed St. Lawrence Hotel, the Masonic Hall and other buildings with $34,000.00 loss. In 1890, fire destroyed the jail and 20 other establishments. A fire destroyed Revere Hotel in 1905. In 1946, a fire destroyed the docking facilities. In, 1959, a fire destroyed the docks again as well as part of Ferguson Industries Ltd., and the Federal Hydrographic Survey buildings. Fire partially destroyed business blocks in 1960.

A grammar school was established by Rev. Thomas McCulloch in 1811. A school-house was built in 1818, in which Patrick Connelly taught the first six months of the year. A new school-house was completed in 1866. A south Pictou school was built about 1872. High Street school burnt in 1883, and was replaced by a new building in 1883.

The original Pictou Academy building was completed in 1818. A Divinity Hall was opened in one of the rooms in the summer of 1820. The school closed in August, 1844, but re-opened in 1846. The original building was demolished in 1932.

A post office was established about 1813. A post office building was erected in 1895. The corner-stone of the new Pictou
Federal building was laid in 1955.

The Pictou Cottage Hospital was opened in 1906. Sutherland Memorial Hospital was opened in 1928. A nurses residence was built in 1944. A newer Sutherland-Harris Memorial Hospital was opened June 1. 1966.

A jail was erected about 1792 and in 1813 a court-house was built. A new court-house was built in 1856. A new Customs
House was nearing completion in April, 1876.

A lighthouse was built at Cole Point in 1834. A lighthouse burned down on May 27, 1903. A battery for defense was erected
on Battery Hill about’ 1811-1812. A drill hall for the Pictou volunteers was completed in 1862.

Several newspapers were published in Pictou over the years including 1) The Colonial Patriot by William Milne, 2) The Pictou Observer edited by Rev. J. K. McKenzie and published by W. Gossip, 3) The Juvenile Entertainer, by William Milne, 4) The Pictou Bee by J. Dawson, 5) The Mechanic & Farmer by J. Stiles, 6) The Presbyterian Banner by Stiles and Fraser, 7) The Eastern Chronicle, a merge of the last two papers under Geldart and Patterson. The Missionary Register, a monthly edited by E. M. McDonald in 1850; The Christian Instructor begun in 1855 by Rev. George Patterson, which two amalgamated in 1856; The Christian Record begun in 1343· with Rev. Hugh Dunbar as editor. The Colonial Standard by S. H. Holmes, November 2, 1858; The Colonial Prenological Journal by A. B. Parker, editor, May 1860; The Pictou News published by W. Harris and edited by C. D. McDonald in September, 1882. The Pictou Advocate begun in December, 1893, with J . D. McDonald as editor (and still being published) and the Pictou Canadian under R. S. Hamilton in 1900.Two magazines, “The Little Visitor and The Times Magazine” were begun in 1843 and 1856 respectively. was begun in June, 1886, opened November 28, 1887.

The “Short Line” was under construction between Oxford Junction and Pictou in 1888 and was opened in 1890. A new Intercolonial Railway Station and roundhouse was built in 1905-1906.

A public subscription library was established in 1822 and lasted for about thirty years. A new Y.M.C.A. building was under
construction in 1879. The ground floor was used as a Post Office, probably until 1895.

In 1775 travel between Pictou and P.E.I. was by birch bark canoe. A regular packet was running by 1825 and in 1830
the steam boat Richard Smith was put on this route. By December, 1888 the Stanley was running regularly between Pictou
and P.E.I. A ferry service was begun between Pictou and Pictou Landing by John Foster, Jr. in 1806.

Hamilton’s Bakery started by George Hamilton was a bakeshop in 1840. It was purchased by Westons Ltd. in 1955.

Pictou Iron Foundry went into operation in 1856. A coal-oil manufacturer was built in 1860.

Robert Campbell operated a tannery here in the 1860’s and 1870’s. In 1871 the Pictou Boot and Shoe Company was incorporated.

The Pictou Gas Works were in operation in the 1870’s.

In 1906 Allan A. Ferguson purchased a foundry and developed the Pictou Foundry and Machine Company. On December 28,
1950, this Company was incorporated as Ferguson Industries Ltd. , steel ships being their most important product since 1942. Maritime Packers established in 1910 by Samuel Broidy at River John was purchased by National Sea Products Ltd., in 1965. Pictou Cutlery Ltd., begun in March, 1948, in a purchased navy barracks. was incorporated in July, 1949. Other industries established before 1962 were: Atlantic Milling Co. Ltd., Fred Magee Ltd., Canners, and Stright and MacKay, boat builders.

Population in 1881 was 3,403

Population in 1891 was 2.998

Population in 1901 was 3,235

Population in 1911 was 3,179

Population in 1921 was 2,988

Population in 1931 was 3,152

Population in 1941 was 3,069

Population in 1951 was 4,259

Population in 1961 was 4,534

Population in 1981 was 4,621

Population in 1986 was 4,413

Population in 1991 was 4,134

Population in 1996 was 4,022

Population in 2001 was 3,875

Population in 2006 was 3,813

Population in 2011 was 3,437

Population in 2016 was 3,186

Population in 2021 was 3,107

The Town of Pictou’s population has generally been declining since the mid-20th century, with some fluctuations.