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Remembering the Halifax Explosion Ninety Years Later
In the weeks following the explosion the cities began to recover. With the assistance of numerous charitable organizations the dead were buried, the wounded were nursed back to health and the cites began to rebuild. Today, ninety years later, much of the landscape of Halifax and Dartmouth stands as a reminder of that day. Many places still bear the scars of the explosion and other were created to replace those that were lost such as Halifax's Hydrostone district. We invite you to learn more about historic places that are connected to that fateful day through the Nova Scotia Register of Historic Places. For more information on the Halifax Explosion, visit the Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management website or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic website.
Church of Holy Redeemer
Description of Property Church of Holy Redeemer is a two-storey stucco condominium building and former church located on Brunswick Street near downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. Retaining much of its original ecclesiastical appearance, the building is an important landmark of Halifax’s inner north end (the old North Suburb) and is situated in a residential neighbourhood near the busy intersection of Brunswick and Cornwallis Streets. The designation extends to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Halifax Relief Commission Building
Description of Property The Halifax Relief Commission Building is a two-and-a-half storey Hydrostone structure located in a unique commercial streetscape on the corner of Young and Isleville Streets in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Hennessey Place Hydrostones
Description of Property The Hennessey Place Hydrostones are a six-unit two-storey structure built of hydrostone following the Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917 which destroyed much of Halifax. The Hennessey Place Hydrostones are part of a roughly twenty-three acre neighbourhood known as the “Hydrostone.” The designation applies to the Hennessey Place rowhouse cottages and the land they occupy. Click here for more information.
Hydrostone Market
Description of Property The Hydrostone Market is a two-and-a-half storey commercial structure built of hydrostone located on Young Street between Isleville Street and Novalea Drive in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The structure continues to provide a place for a vibrant market with a variety of shops and services. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Mont Blanc Anchor Site
Description of Property The Mont Blanc Anchor Site is located in a quiet residential area, formerly the Edmonds Grounds Estate, near the head of the Northwest Arm in Halifax, NS. The monument consists of the anchor shaft from the "Mont Blanc" munitions ship which exploded during the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The designation applies to the monument and the land it presently occupies. The Edmonds Grounds Estate was re-developed in the late 1980s, and subdivision of this Estate created the present parcel on which the monument stands. Designation includes the monument and surrounding property. Click here for more information.
Owl Drug Store
Description of Property The Owl Drug Store is a two-and-one-half storey wood frame structure with Scottish dormers, situated on the north corner lot at King and Portland Street in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The designation is for the building and the lot it occupies. Click here for more information.
Pacifc Building
Description of Property The Pacific Building is a three storey Neo-classical style commercial building located on the east side of Barrington Street in downtown Halifax, NS. Built as the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) building, it is an excellent expression of the architectural styles that were in vogue for institutional buildings in the early twentieth century. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Robert Innes House
Description of Property The Pacific Building is a three storey Neo-classical style commercial building located on the east side of Barrington Street in downtown Halifax, NS. Built as the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) building, it is an excellent expression of the architectural styles that were in vogue for institutional buildings in the early twentieth century. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Royal Bank Building
Description of Property The Royal Bank Building is a two-and-a-half storey Hydrostone structure on the corner of Young Street and Novalea Drive in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This area of the city is considered one of the best examples of a well-balanced streetscape and is known for its unique hydrostone building materials. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Saint George's Church
Description of Property The Saint George’s Church and Church Hall are located in the North End of Halifax, NS. The Church is a national landmark and is commonly known as the ‘Round Church.’ Its round construction makes it unique within the province. The municipal heritage designation applies to the Church, Hall and the land. Click here for more information.
St. Mark's Church
Description of Property St. Mark's Church is a notable structure built in the Gothic Revival style. It is located on the corner of Russell and Gottingen Streets in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The original church, built in 1866, was completely destroyed in the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The cornerstone of the new church was laid July 18, 1920. The rebuilding of the church was part of a larger reconstruction project following the explosion. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
St. Paul's Anglican Church
Description of Property St. Paul’s Anglican Church is located in downtown Halifax, NS, at the end of Grand Parade facing City Hall. The Georgian style church, built in 1750, is a local landmark and is the oldest Anglican Church in North American and the oldest building in Halifax. The building and property are located in the provincial designation. Click here for more information.
Sterns' Corner
Description of Property Sterns' Corner is a brick, Italianate style building located on the corner of Alderney Drive and Portland Street in Downtown Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Built in 1894, it is a important landmark for the downtown area and remains an integral part of the streetscape. The building is an excellent example of its architectural type and is visually pleasing. The heritage designation applies to the building and the lot it occupies. Click here for more information.
Thurso House
Description of Property Thurso House is a one-and-a-half storey wood frame building in the Gothic Revival style. The house sits on a spacious treed lot above street level and is an excellent example of Victorian architecture of the late nineteenth century. The building is well suited for this site on Portland Street in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The heritage designation applies to the building and the land it occupies. Click here for more information.
Chebucto School
Description of Property The Chebucto School is the focal point for the surrounding local community. It is a large 20th century Classical Revival style brick building located on the corner of Chebucto Road and St. Matthias Street in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The heritage designation applies to the building and the surrounding land it occupies. Click here for more information.
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On December 6, 1917 the relief ship Imo and the munitions ship Mont Blanc collided in the Halifax Harbour. The resulting explosion changed the cities of Halifax and Dartmouth irrevicably Over 1600 people were instantly killed and over 9,000 people were wounded. The force of the blast was felt over 200 kilometers away and debris covered over 325 acres. Thousands of people were left homeless and the cities were left facing millions of dollars in damage.
