Springville, Pictou County

1879 map of Springville

About Springville

Springville is a rural community located between Bridgeville and Churchville along the East River. It is well known for its beautiful scenery, it was also known in its early days for its abundant rich deposits of iron and lime.

Much like other parts of Pictou County, this area was settled mostly by immigrants from Scotland, seeking a better life as Scottish lairds abandoned most of their people following the battle of Culloden. This area was first settled around 1780, where they referred to it as the Upper Settlement.

John Fraser was among the first settlers, and to distinguish himself from others of the same clan name he was called himself Iain Ruaidh, or Red John. He settled at the place that much latter became known as the Holmes Farm, where the Hon. Simon H. Holmes, once Premier, was born.

James Fraser, eldest son of John Fraser, gave the name of Springville to the area. It is believed that a large spring flowing from the foot of a hill in this area, and several sparkling streams lead to the name.

Farms and Farmers of Pictou County is a collection of articles written by by R. H. Ward between 1919 and 1922 that showcases some of the many farms and farmers in Springville during 1914-1922

The first spinning machine and power loom in Pictou County was set up by Mr. James Grant, was near Springville.

A postal way office was established at Springville in 1837.

The log church in Millstream at at Grant Lake built in the early 1790’s served the area, until a Presbyterian Church was built in Springville around 1853.

A steel bridge, unique in design to Nova Scotia, was built in Springville in 1875, and used for almost 90 years before being replaced by the present bridge by the Springville cemetery.

In 1878 it had two stores, a church, a school house and a Temperance Hall, lodge of Oddfellows and Sons of Temperance. A new bridge over the East River was opened in 1879. A railway line was built between Eureka and Springville in 1890 by the New Glasgow Coal, Iron and Railway Company, for the purpose of transporting iron ore being mined here. This bridge was built from discarded rails of the Intercolonial Railway and said to be only the second bridge in Canada to built like this.

In 1893, limestone was being quarried here a t the McLean quarry until 1904, when farming a nd milling became the basic industries.

Population in 1956 was 150.

Using the crowd sourced Find a Grave app, you can search the Springville Cemetery for names, details, and photos

More History of Springville …

History and Stories of Springville by Frank W. Calder, is a great resource for stories and history of Springville and surroundings area.

It provides  provides an extensive history with interesting stories dating back to 1780 when the area was settled mostly by immigrants from Scotland, seeking a better life as Scottish lairds abandoned most of their people following the battle of Culloden, and more. This book is available to read online.